Modulating charge oriented accumulation via interfacial chemical-bond on In2O3/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Xin Huang; Rui Du; Yuanyuan Zhang; Jingyu Ren; Qisheng Yang; Kangning Wang; Yang Ni; Yuqi Yao; Razium Ali Soomro; Li Guo; Chunming Yang; Danjun Wang; Bin Xu; Feng Fu

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.018

Modulating charge oriented accumulation via interfacial chemical-bond on In₂O₃/Bi₂MoO₆ heterostructures for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 Jun 15:664:33-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.018. Epub 2024 Mar 4.

Authors

Xin Huang¹, Rui Du¹, Yuanyuan Zhang¹, Jingyu Ren¹, Qisheng Yang¹, Kangning Wang¹, Yang Ni¹, Yuqi Yao¹, Razium Ali Soomro¹, Li Guo², Chunming Yang³, Danjun Wang⁴, Bin Xu¹, Feng Fu¹

Affiliations

¹ Yan'an Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis and Quality Improvement and Utilization of Low Rank Coal, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China.
² Yan'an Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis and Quality Improvement and Utilization of Low Rank Coal, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China. Electronic address: guoli20052017@163.com.
³ Yan'an Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis and Quality Improvement and Utilization of Low Rank Coal, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China. Electronic address: chunmingyang@yau.edu.cn.
⁴ Yan'an Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis and Quality Improvement and Utilization of Low Rank Coal, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, PR China. Electronic address: wangdj761118@163.com.

PMID: 38458053
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.018

Abstract

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation presents an eco-friendly approach to converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (NH₃), but the process faces challenges due to rapid interface charge recombination. Here, we report an innovative charge transfer and oriented accumulation strategy using an In-O-Mo bond-modulated S-scheme heterostructure composed of In₂O₃/Bi₂MoO₆ (In/BMO) synthesized using a simple electrostatic assembly. The unique interfacial arrangement with optimal photocatalyst configuration (3 % In/BMO) enabled enhanced photogenerated electron separation and transfer, leading to a remarkable nitrogen fixation rate of approximately 150.9 μmol·g_cat^-1·h^-1 under visible light irradiation. The performance of the photocatalyst was 9-fold and 27-fold higher than that of its pristine components, Bi₂MoO₆ and In₂O₃, respectively. The experimental and theoretical evaluation deemed interfacial In-O-Mo bonds crucial for rapid transfer and charge-oriented accumulation. Whereas the generated internal electric field drove the spatial separation and transfer of photo-generated electrons and holes, significantly enhancing the photocatalytic N₂-to-NH₃ conversion efficiency. The proposed work lays the foundation for designing S-scheme heterostructures with highly efficient interfacial bonds, offering a promising avenue for substantial improvements in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.

Keywords: In(2)O(3)/Bi(2)MoO(6) S-scheme heterostructure; In-O-Mo interfacial chemical- bond; Modulating charge oriented accumulation; Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.