Visible light active SrZrO₃/PbS nanocomposite for photoconversion of CO₂ into methane and methanol

The conversion of CO₂ into methane and methanol is a productive way to turn down the greenhouse effect in the environment as well as to solve energy crisis. Strontium zirconate and its composite with lead sulphide are explored as a photocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction. The photocatalysts have been synthesized by facile hydrothermal methods and its formation has been inspected by XRD and Raman studies. The elemental composition, oxidation states of the elements present in the materials, morphology and the surface area are investigated by XPS, SEM and BET analyses. Methane and methanol were the major products produced during the reduction process. The composite material shows better efficiency as compared individual material. The maximum amount of methane and methanol produced by the photoreduction of CO₂ by using composite as photocatalyst is 23 and 37 μmol g⁻¹.