Advanced Strategies for Improving the Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation Performance: A Short Review

Abstract

As an indispensable energy source, ammonia plays a significant role in industrial and agricultural production. Given that the current ammonia production is still dominated by the energy-intensive and high-carbon-footprint Haber–Bosch process, photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction represent a low-energy-consuming and sustainable approach to generate ammonia, which have received extensive attention and research. However, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation materials have limitations, such as the difficulty in N2 adsorption and activation and the recombination of photogenerated carriers. It is still a serious challenge to improve the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation performance to realize its industrial application. It is crucial to master and explore the strategies for improving the performance of photocatalysts. Therefore, this paper reviews the traditional and emerging strategies for improving the performance of photocatalytic nitrogen fixation and briefly prospects the existing challenges and future opportunities. This review is expected to provide momentous breakthroughs on photocatalysts for artificial nitrogen fixation in the next stage.

Research Progress and Perspectives on Active Sites of Photo- and Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction

“…For example, g-C 3 N 4 with high nitrogen content is often considered a good Lewis basic substance. However, the lack of paired Lewis acid sites hinders its binding to N 2 . ,, Therefore, Ran et al paired the polymeric carbon nitride with boron dopants to form FLPs to promote NRR. In the FTIR spectra of Figure a, the newly emerged transmission peak at ∼1440 cm –1 of B–C 3 N 4 suggests that B doping preferred to form Lewis acid sites instead of Brønsted acid sites on carbon nitride (Figure a).…”

2022 Pioneers in Energy Research: Jinhua Ye

“…In Yu’s review, the application progress of metal sulfide semiconductors in photocatalytic energy conversion, including H 2 production, CO 2 reduction, and N 2 fixation, are discussed . Yu and co-workers outlined the conventional and emerging strategies for improving the performance of photocatalytic N 2 fixation and prospects for the existing challenges and future opportunities . Jiang’s group summarized the reaction mechanisms of photo- and electrocatalytic N 2 fixation and outlined the common methodologies of generating more active sites of photo- and electrocatalytic N 2 fixation .…”

“…33 Yu and co-workers outlined the conventional and emerging strategies for improving the performance of photocatalytic N 2 fixation and prospects for the existing challenges and future opportunities. 34 Jiang's group summarized the reaction mechanisms of photo-and electrocatalytic N 2 fixation and outlined the common methodologies of generating more active sites of photo-and electrocatalytic N 2 fixation. 35 Li's group reported Cu-loaded NaNbO 3 with a threedimensional (3D) network structure that exhibits enhanced CO 2 photoreduction to the C 2 product.…”

Hierarchical UiO-66(−NH2)/CuInS2 S-Scheme Photocatalyst with Controlled Topology for Enhanced Photocatalytic N2 Fixation and H2O2 Production

“…As the N 2 molecule is persistent and inert, it is extremely difficult to convert N 2 to NH 3 under benign conditions. The commercial production of NH 3 is primarily carried out by the conventional Haber-Bosch process which operates at extremely harsh reaction conditions (150–350 atm, 350–550 °C). , In the area of photovoltaic energy, photocatalytic N 2 fixation using solar energy has become a research hotspot. The photocatalytic N 2 fixation reaction represented by the equation, N 2 + 3H 2 O →2NH 3 + 3 / 2 O 2 is considered to be one of the perfect alternatives to conventional methods of synthesis .…”