High-efficiency Fe-Mediated Bi2MoO6 nitrogen-fixing photocatalyst: Reduced surface work function and ameliorated surface reaction

Rapid carrier transport and efficient surface reactions are key factors for improving photocatalytic nitrogen fixation. Herein, an efficient Bi2MoO6 nitrogen-fixing photocatalyst was obtained using Fe-mediation. The Fe-doping induced surface work function reduction would boost the charge transport to the surface of catalyst. Besides that, the Fe-doping can also improve the charge collection through a Fe3+/Fe2+ redox pathway, which serves as active sites for nitrogen reduction. Thanks to above merits, Fe-mediated Bi2MoO6 exhibits dramatically enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for nitrogen fixation, in sharp contrast with pristine Bi2MoO6. This work provides a new approach to improve photocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction, which can pave the way for modification studies in nitrogen fixation photocatalysts.