Enhanced room temperature CO2 photoreduction on gas-solid interfaces using nanocrystals integrated with ZIF-8 wrapping design.

• Novel TiO 2 nanocrystals prepared by sonolaser ablation was firstly wrapped in ZIF-8 as composite photocatalyst. • Highest CO and CH 4 evolution rates of up to 250. 24 and 25.43 µmol g^-1 h^-1 were achieved in Pt ^{x +}-TiO 2 @ZIF-8. • The recombination of photo-induced electron-hole pairs had been impeded. • The enhanced performance relates to abundant active sites and effective Z-type charge-transfer channel. Composites derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show promise as catalysts for the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2. However, their potential is hindered by constraints such as limited light absorption and sluggish electron transfer and separation, impacting the overall efficiency of the photocatalytic process. In this study, TiO 2 nanocrystals, modified with Pt ^x+, underwent laser etching were encapsulated within the traditional MOF-ZIF-8 framework. This enhanced the adsorption capabilities for CO 2 reactants and solar light, while also facilitating directed electron transfer and the separation of photogenerated charges. The finely-tuned catalyst demonstrates impressive CH 4 selectivity at 9.5 %, with yields of 250. 24 µmol g^-1 h^-1 for CO and 25.43 µmol g^-1 h^-1 for CH 4 , utilizing water as a hole trap and H⁺ source. This study demonstrates the viability of achieving characteristics related to the separation of photogenerated charges in TiO 2 nanocrystals through laser etching and MOF composite catalysts. It offers novel perspectives for designing MOF-based catalysts with enhanced performance in artificial photosynthesis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]