Synergistic Trimetallic Nanocomposites As Visible-NIR-Sunlight-Driven Photocatalysts for Efficient Artificial Photosynthesis

Here, we report monodispersed tricomponent MnNSs-SnO@Pt and MnNFs-SnO@Pt nanocomposites prepared by simultaneous SnO and Pt nanodot coating on Mn nanospheres (MnNSs) and Mn nanoflowers (MnNFs) for highly efficient CO photoreduction in visible-NIR-sunlight irradiation. MnNFs-SnO@Pt showed higher efficiency with a quantum yield of 3.21% and a chemical yield of 5.45% for CO conversion under visible light irradiation for HCOOH formation with 94% selectivity. Similarly, MnNFs-SnO@Pt displayed significant photocatalytic efficiency in NIR and sunlight irradiation for HCOOH yield. MnNFs-SnO@Pt nanocomposites also showed robust morphology and sustained structural stability with shelf-life for at least 1 year and were utilized for at least 10 reaction cycles without losing significant photocatalytic efficiency. The high surface area (94.98 m/g), efficient electron-hole separation, and Pt-nanodot support in MnNFs--SnO@Pt contributed to a higher photocatalytic efficacy toward CO reduction.