Sub-3 nm Ultrafine Cu2O for Visible Light Driven Nitrogen Fixation

Cu2O, a low-cost, visible light responsive semiconductor photocatalyst represents an ideal candidate for visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of N-2 to NH3 from the viewpoint of thermodynamics, but it remains unexplored. Reported here is the successful synthesis of uniformly sized and ultrafine Cu2O platelets, with a lateral size of <3 nm, by the in situ topotactic reduction of a Cu-II-containing layered double hydroxide with ascorbic acid. The supported ultrafine Cu2O offered excellent performance and stability for the visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of N-2 to NH3 (the Cu2O-mass-normalized rate as high as 4.10 mmol gCu2O (-1) h(-1) at lambda>400 nm), with the origin of the high activity being long-lived photoexcited electrons in trap states, an abundance of exposed active sites, and the underlying support structure. This work guides the future design of ultrafine catalysts for NH3 synthesis and other applications.

Automated summary

This study reports the successful synthesis of uniformly sized and ultrafine Cu2O platelets, which exhibit excellent performance and stability for the visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of N-2 to NH3. The high activity is attributed to long-lived photoexcited electrons in trap states, an abundance of exposed active sites, and the underlying support structure.