Executive Summary : | solar energy-driven photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is an environmentally friendly method for producing renewable solar fuels. To achieve effective CO₂ photoreduction, the material must have significant positive reduction potential, a semiconductor's conduction band with highly negative reduction potential, and effective CO₂ adsorption on the catalyst surface with optimal adsorption free energy. Polymeric carbon nitride (g-CN) has gained popularity due to its optical band structure, good chemical and thermal stability, and the ability to tailor the intrinsic photocatalytic properties of these metal oxides. The proposed objective is to construct 2D layered structures by heterostructure g-CN and MMO, which could potentially promote favorable band energy and enhance photocatalytic performance. The goal is to large-scale, inexpensive production of CN-MMO thin films for the conversion of CO₂ into solar fuels. The project aims to perform in situ synthesis of ultra-fine MMO nanoparticles and decorate them on g-CN using various techniques. Thin films of ultra-fine MMO decorated g-CN nanocomposites will be prepared using simple spin coating techniques, and performance evaluation will be conducted on the prepared thin films. Bench scale-up units will be designed and fabricated for optimized process parameters. A key research question is ensuring compatibility between synthesis routes and thin film deposition technologies. Various methods, from simple spin-coating to advanced methods like CVD, electrodeposition, and magnetic sputtering, will be adopted to assess compatibility. |