Achievements and Perspectives in Metal–Organic Framework-Based Materials for Photocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination polymers with high porosity that are constructed from molecular engineering. Constructing MOFs as photocatalysts for the reduction of nitrogen to ammonia is a newly emerging but fast-growing field, owing to MOFs’ large pore volumes, adjustable pore sizes, controllable structures, wide light harvesting ranges, and high densities of exposed catalytic sites. They are also growing in popularity because of the pristine MOFs that can easily be transformed into advanced composites and derivatives, with enhanced catalytic performance. In this review, we firstly summarized and compared the ammonia detection methods and the synthetic methods of MOF-based materials. Then we highlighted the recent achievements in state-of-the-art MOF-based materials for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation. Finally, the summary and perspectives of MOF-based materials for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation were presented. This review aims to provide up-to-date developments in MOF-based materials for nitrogen fixation that are beneficial to researchers who are interested or involved in this field.

Porphyrin-Based Metal-Organic Framework Materials: Design, Construction, and Application in the Field of Photocatalysis

“…Porphyrin molecules, as a strong photosensitive linker, can significantly broaden the light response of MOFs. Furthermore, the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation efficiency can be significantly improved by rationally designed porphyrin-based MOFs to enhance the separation of photo-generated charges [ 68 ]. Therefore, porphyrin-based MOFs exhibit excellent performance and a positive future in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.…”

Photoreactive Carbon Dots Modified g-C3N4 for Effective Photooxidation of Bisphenol-A under Visible Light Irradiation

“…The bottom-up method was used to synthesize the carbon dots using a one-step microwave-assisted approach. The microwave approach was chosen because its internal thermal effect creates a better distribution of heat for the CDs synthesis [70]. The carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was synthesized using glucose as a precursor.…”

Manipulation of interfacial charge dynamics for metal–organic frameworks toward advanced photocatalytic applications

“…In the last three years, many reviews have been published on topics associated with MOF-based photocatalysts. These reviews mainly presented a summary of synthetic approaches, [18][19][20][21] highlights of specic photocatalytic applications, 14,16,[22][23][24] and comprehensive strategies for improving photocatalytic activity. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] The role of interfacial charge dynamics for MOFs in photocatalytic reactions has only been highlighted in two relevant reviews, which were published in 2020.…”

“…By careful design and functionalization, MOFs can be tailored to optimize these properties, thus enhancing their photocatalytic performance for a wide range of applications, including dye degradation, 13 water splitting, 14 CO 2 reduction, 15 and N 2 reduction. 16 Interfacial charge dynamics are particularly important to the utility of MOFs as photocatalysts because they dictate charge transfer and carrier utilization, the two key processes associated with photocatalytic reactions. After light irradiation, the photoexcited charge carriers can migrate from the interior of photocatalysts to the surface and participate in redox reactions.…”