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

Efficient photocatalytic H2 generation over In2.77S4/NiS2/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction using NiS2 as electron-bridge

NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxides as a Novel Hole Repository Layer for Reinforced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Refractory Pollutants

Facile fabrication of sulfuretted NiFe-layered double hydroxides/oxalic acid induced g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and Cr(Ⅵ) under visible light irradiation

The ZnAl calcined layered double hydroxides/ZIF-8 composites (ZnAl-CLDH/ZIF-8) were successfully synthesized by a simple and efficient co-precipitation method. Characterizations including XRD, SEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS and EIS were used to investigate the structures and the morphologies of the fabricated photocatalysts. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of the composites were evaluated by the photodegradation of Methyl blue (MB) under irradiation. The catalyst showed a high efficiency (97.35%) at the mass ratio of ZIF-8 was 5%. It is worth mentioning that the removal efficiency of MB is still higher than 90% for reused ZnAl-CLDH/ZIF-8 after five cycle runs, confirming the promising practical application. Based on the experimental results, a possible mechanism of decomposition of MB by the ZnAl-CLDH/ZIF-8 heterojunction was proposed.

Co-precipitation synthesis of reusable ZnAl-CLDH/ZIF-8 heterojunction for enhanced photodegradation of organic dye

Improvement of synergistic effect photocatalytic performance for efficient removal of tetracycline by the construction of double sulfide heterojunction

Jun Hu

Papers

Efficient photocatalytic H2 generation over In2.77S4/NiS2/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction using NiS2 as electron-bridge

NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxides as a Novel Hole Repository Layer for Reinforced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Refractory Pollutants

Facile fabrication of sulfuretted NiFe-layered double hydroxides/oxalic acid induced g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and Cr(Ⅵ) under visible light irradiation

Co-precipitation synthesis of reusable ZnAl-CLDH/ZIF-8 heterojunction for enhanced photodegradation of organic dye

Improvement of synergistic effect photocatalytic performance for efficient removal of tetracycline by the construction of double sulfide heterojunction