▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - A photocatalyst comprises zinc vanadium oxide (I) hierarchical nanosheets, and produces a renewable fuel from the carbon dioxide reduction. The zinc vanadium oxide (I) hierarchical nanosheets is either modified with protonated graphitic carbon nitride or protonated graphitic carbon nitride and reduced graphene oxide. USE - Photocatalyst used for carbon dioxide reduction for producing renewable fuel e.g. methanol. Can also be used for producing formic acid, acetic acid, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. ADVANTAGE - The photocatalyst exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity and hindered charges recombination rate for the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. The photocatalyst is prepared using a solvothermal method, which facilitates an interaction of precursors during synthesis under moderate to high pressure and temperature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A photocatalyst comprises zinc vanadium oxide of formula: ZnV2O6(I) hierarchical nanosheets, and produces a renewable fuel from the carbon dioxide reduction. The zinc vanadium oxide (I) hierarchical nanosheets is either modified with protonated graphitic carbon nitride or protonated graphitic carbon nitride and reduced graphene oxide. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for production of photocatalyst, which involves (a) mixing zinc acetate, dimethylformamide, oxalic acid, and ammonium metavanadate, (b) reacting the mixture in an autoclave at a temperature of approximately 200° C for approximately 24 hours, where the precipitates are obtained from the reaction, and (c) drying the precipitates at a temperature of approximately 80° C for approximately 12 hours.