Nitrogen fixation from air at normal temperature and pressure via Cobalt-iron photocatalyst day and night

Abstract

Photocatalytic fixation of nitrogen from air at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) is a fascinating topic for sustainable development and environment. A new type of organic ligand doped cobalt-iron oxides photocatalyst was designed and prepared which can inhibit the recombination of photoelectron-hole pairs and adjust the energy gap for converting nitrogen into ammonium at NTP. Its relevant properties and characterization data was examined by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, ESR, and UV-vis. These experimental data proved its nitrogen fixation ability. The rate of nitrogen fixation could be 216 μmol•L−1•h−1 with simulated sunlight illumination. Moreover, this nitrogen fixation activity can also happen at night with the rate of 112μmol•L−1•h−1. This all-day nitrogen fixation ability makes it has the industrial potential application in future.