Biomass‐Induced Diphasic Carbon Decoration for Carbon Nitride: Band and Electronic Engineering Targeting Efficient N2 Photofixation. Issue 2 (18th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Zheng; Xiong, Lijun; Zhang, Xiaoyue; Shen, Jinyou; Sun, Aiwu; Lin, Xiangyang; Yang, Yong
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 18:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-18
• Subjects: carbon nitride -- diphasic modification -- dual electron transfer -- in‐plane fusing -- lotus root starch -- photocatalytic N 2 fixation; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105217
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Boosting the replacement of traditional NH3 production (Haber–Bosch process) with photocatalytic technology is of great importance for energy and environment remediation. Herein, to develop a photocatalyst with efficient charge separation and abundant reactive sites for photocatalytic N2 fixation, a biomass‐induced diphase‐carbon doping strategy is proposed by adding lotus root starch which can be environmentally produced into the preparation of carbon nitride (CN). The adjustment to the CN framework by planar‐fused carbon optimizes the band alignment of the catalyst, improving its response to sunlight. In particular, the in‐plane‐fused carbon in collaboration with the physically piled carbon initiates unique dual electron transfer pathways from different dimensions. The diphasic carbons can both function as qualified reactive sites according to the experimental explorations and further theoretical calculations, which effectively regulate the electron transfer and energy barrier associated with the N2 reduction on catalyst. The bio‐carbon‐doped catalyst exhibits drastically enhanced photocatalytic N2 fixation performance, and the NH3 yield on the optimized DC‐CN0.1 reaches 167.35 µmol g −1 h −1, which is fivefold of g‐C3 N4 and stands far out from the single‐phase doped systems. These explorations expand the metal‐free skeleton engineering toolbox and provide new guidance for the solar energy utilizations. Abstract : Two carbon textures, in‐planar‐fused carbon and physically piled carbon, are integrated into carbon nitride via one‐pot co‐pyrolysis and polymerization of lotus root starch and dicyanamide. The band structure engineering, reaction energy barrier regulation, and dual electron‐transfer pathways are synergistically used to boost the photocatalytic nitrogen‐fixing performance on the as‐developed diphasic carbon‐decorated photocatalyst.