Enhanced Nitrogen Photo Fixation Performance of Transition Metal-Doped Urchin-Like W18O49 Under Visible-Light Irradiation

Abstract

Nitrogen photo fixation mediated by various photocatalysts has received extensive concerns in recent years. In this work, a general strategy is proposed to enhance nitrogen photo fixation performance with some W[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]-based photocatalysts under visible-light irradiation. A series of photocatalysts were successfully synthesized in the presence of some noble-metal-free transition metals (Fe, Co and Ni) to modify the urchin-like W[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]. The resulting photocatalysts were systematically characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, PL, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, and DRS. Structural characterization of the photocatalysts revealed that the crystal morphology features were preserved, optional harvesting properties were enhanced, BET specific surface area was extended, and migration efficiency of the photo-induced charge carriers was significantly improved in the modified-W[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] materials. Therefore, a progressed nitrogen photo fixation performance was observed. The maximum production of NH[Formula: see text] was approximately reached to 2752[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] catal. under the optimum reaction conditions. Furthermore, a plausible nitrogen photo fixation mechanism in the presence of the synthesized composites is also proposed.