A nitrogen fixation strategy to synthesize NO via the thermally assisted photocatalytic conversion of air

Developing a novel strategy for energy-efficient and clean synthesis of NO from distributed sources is highly desirable. Herein, we present a facile and green method to synthesize NO through the thermal-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of N(2)using simulated air as the reactant in a flow reactor. The TiO2/WO(3)heterostructured nanorods were constructed and exhibited good activity for NO photosynthesis assisted by heating in the range of 200-350 degrees C. The yield rate of NO reached 0.16 mmol g(-1)h(-1)at 300 degrees C with a quantum efficiency of 0.31% at 365 nm.N-15 isotope labeling experiments proved the origin of NO from N(2)oxidation. Experimental and theoretical results revealed that the lattice oxygen in the heterostructures participated in the photooxidation reaction of N-2, and the electron transfer from WO(3)to TiO(2)at the interface of the heterojunction under illumination could facilitate the adsorption of N(2)and the formation of NO* intermediates and thus enhanced the photocatalytic N(2)oxidation performance. Importantly, the solar-driven oxidation generated NO can be directly used for the synthesis of fine chemicals including nitric acid and beta-nitrostyrolene. Our work opens a new avenue for nitrogen fixationviasolar-driven N(2)oxidation from distributed sources of air.