Photoreduction of N₂ is among the most interesting and challenging methods for N₂ fixation under mild conditions. In this study, we determined that nitrogen vacancies (NVs) could endow graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) with the photocatalytic N₂ fixation ability. Photocatalytic N₂ fixation induced by NVs is free from the interference of other gases. The reason is that NVs could selectively adsorb and activate N₂ because NVs have the same shape and size as the nitrogen atom in N₂. In addition to this, NVs could also improve many other properties of g-C₃N₄ to support photocatalytic N₂ fixation. These new findings could elucidate the design of efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic N₂ fixation.

Selective photocatalytic N₂ fixation dependent on g-C₃N₄ induced by nitrogen vacancies

2D materials show many particular properties, such as high surface‐to‐volume ratio, high anisotropic degree, and adjustable chemical functionality. These unique properties in 2D materials have sparked immense interest due to their applications in photocatalytic systems, resulting in significantly enhanced light capture, charge‐transfer kinetics, and surface reaction. Herein, the research progress in 2D photocatalysts based on varied compositions and functions, followed by specific surface modification strategies, is introduced. Fundamental principles focusing on light harvesting, charge separation, and molecular adsorption/activation in the 2D‐material‐based photocatalytic system are systemically explored. The examples described here detail the use of 2D materials in various photocatalytic energy‐conversion systems, including water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation, hydrogen peroxide production, and organic synthesis. Finally, by elaborating the challenges and possible solutions for developing these 2D materials, the review is expected to provide some inspiration for the future research of 2D materials used on efficient photocatalytic energy conversions.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/adma.202200180

Surface Modification of 2D Photocatalysts for Solar Energy Conversion

Polyoxometalate@Metal–Organic Framework Composites as Effective Photocatalysts

Fabrication of fibrous MXene nanoribbons (MNRs) membrane with efficient performance for oil-water separation

A critical review on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based composites for environmental remediation

Energy shortages and greenhouse effects are two unavoidable problems that need to be solved. Photocatalytically converting CO2 into a series of valuable chemicals is considered to be an effective means of solving the above dilemmas. Among these photocatalysts, the utilization of black phosphorus for CO2 photocatalytic reduction deserves a lightspot not only for its excellent catalytic activity through different reaction routes, but also on account of the great preponderance of this relatively cheap catalyst. Herein, this review offers a summary of the recent advances in synthesis, structure, properties, and application for CO2 photocatalytic reduction. In detail, the review starts from the basic principle of CO2 photocatalytic reduction. In the following section, the synthesis, structure, and properties, as well as CO2 photocatalytic reduction process of black phosphorus-based photocatalyst are discussed. In addition, some possible influencing factors and reaction mechanism are also summarized. Finally, a summary and the possible future perspectives of black phosphorus-based photocatalyst for CO2 reduction are established.

A Critical Review on Black Phosphorus-Based Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Application.

Cracked-earth-like titanium carbide MXene membranes with abundant hydroxyl groups for oil-in-water emulsion separation

In this work, a novel NiFe layered double hydroxide-derived sulfide (NiFeSx)-modified g-C3N4 nanosheet photocatalyst (NiFeSx/g-C3N4) was synthesized, and its morphology, structure and visible light absorption capacity were simultaneously characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, UV-Vis DRS, PL techniques and EIS Nyquist plots. Furthermore, it was discovered that at an optimum mass ratio of 3% (NiFeSx to g-C3N4), 3% NiFeSx/g-C3N4 composites exhibited the best degradation efficiency toward tetracycline hydrochloride refractory pollutants. The degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride by 3% NiFeSx/g-C3N4 composites was 92.54% under 70 min of visible light illumination, which was about 2.61 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4. The improved degradation activity may be attributed to the synergistic effect between the two constituents of as-synthesized composites, and the formed heterojunction reduced the efficiency of photogenerated carriers. More importantly, this work also gives some inspiration to synthesize some similar photocatalysts for a targeted environmental remediation.

The construction of NiFeSx/g-C3N4 composites with high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of refractory pollutants.

In situ topotactic fabrication of ZnS nanosheet by using ZnAl- layered double hydroxide template for enhanced tetracycline pollutant degradation activity

Jun Hu

Papers

A critical review on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based composites for environmental remediation

A Critical Review on Black Phosphorus-Based Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Application.

Cracked-earth-like titanium carbide MXene membranes with abundant hydroxyl groups for oil-in-water emulsion separation

The construction of NiFeSx/g-C3N4 composites with high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of refractory pollutants.

In situ topotactic fabrication of ZnS nanosheet by using ZnAl- layered double hydroxide template for enhanced tetracycline pollutant degradation activity