Facile synthesis of Fe single-atom porous photocatalysts via direct metal atomization achieving efficient photocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation has been explored as a feasible pathway for ammonia synthesis. However, the convenient and efficient preparation of photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation remains a challenge. Meanwhile, the reaction pathway and mechanism of photocatalytic nitrogen fixation are unclear. Herein, single-atom Fe-porous g-C3N4 (FPx) samples were manufactured using a one-step anneal technique via bubble template and direct metal atomization. Characterization results indicate that FPx has a porous structure and single-atom Fe. The porous structure exposed more active centers. Simultaneously, single-atom Fe changes the adsorption mode of N2 from physical to chemical and turns the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation from the associative distal pathway to the associative alternating pathway. Consequently, without any sacrificial agent or cocatalysts, FPx presents a prominent increase in photocatalytic activity, reaching 62.42 µmol h−1 g−1, over fivefold larger than that of bulk g-C3N4. This work provides new insights into photocatalytic nitrogen fixation and achieves efficient N2 photoreduction by constructing single-atom photocatalysts.