Improved N2 photo-fixation performance of nanocrystalline TiO2 films by photon localization effects and Fe doping

The development of clean and sustainable nitrogen-fixing methods has always attracted significant attention for decades. In this work, we investigated a strategy to enhance the N2 photo-fixation performance of titanium dioxide (TiO2) films by leveraging the synergistic effect between photon localiza...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New journal of chemistry 2024-04, Vol.48 (14), p.6494-6504
Main Authors: Ying-Min, Xu, Chen, Sheng, Sheng-Li, Chen, Ai-Jun, Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectra
Ammonia
Doping
Electromagnetic absorption
Iron
Localization
Nitrogenation
Photocatalysis
Photonic crystals
Photons
Silicon dioxide
Solar energy
Synergistic effect
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:The development of clean and sustainable nitrogen-fixing methods has always attracted significant attention for decades. In this work, we investigated a strategy to enhance the N2 photo-fixation performance of titanium dioxide (TiO2) films by leveraging the synergistic effect between photon localization effects and iron (Fe) doping. Introducing Fe ions into TiO2 broadens its light absorption spectrum, making it extend into the visible light range, while improving charge separation capabilities. Our findings revealed that the photocatalytic ammonia generation of Fe-doped TiO2 (FT) catalysts, with a Fe3+ concentration of 6%, could reach up to 1.5 times that of pure TiO2. Besides, the photon localization effect of the SiO2 opal photonic crystals (SOPC) could enhance the light harvesting efficiency of the photocatalysts. By coupling the SOPC layer and nanocrystalline FT films, the N2 photo-fixation performance of FT/SOPC composite membranes was further promoted to 55.6 μmol g−1 h−1. This study offered a promising route for nitrogen fixation using solar energy.
ISSN:1144-0546
1369-9261
DOI:10.1039/d3nj05332f