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

Here, we report monodispersed tricomponent MnNSs-SnO 2 @Pt and MnNFs-SnO 2 @Pt nanocomposites prepared by simultaneous SnO 2 and Pt nanodot coating on Mn nanospheres (MnNSs) and Mn nanoflowers (MnNFs) for highly efficient CO 2 photoreduction in visible-NIR-sunlight irradiation. MnNFs-SnO 2 @Pt showed higher efficiency with a quantum yield of 3.21% and a chemical yield of 5.45% for CO 2 conversion under visible light irradiation for HCOOH formation with 94% selectivity. Similarly, MnNFs-SnO 2 @Pt displayed significant photocatalytic efficiency in NIR and sunlight irradiation for HCOOH yield. MnNFs-SnO 2 @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 2 /g), efficient electron-hole separation, and Pt-nanodot support in MnNFs--SnO 2 @Pt contributed to a higher photocatalytic efficacy toward CO 2 reduction.