Two-dimensional building blocks for photocatalytic ammonia production

Abstract

Owing to its extensive utilization in fertilizer generation and as an energy carrier, ammonia (NH₃) is deemed to be one of the most essential chemicals. Currently, NH₃ generation mostly depends on the Haber–Bosch approach under harsh conditions, resulting in tremendous energy usage and environmental problems. Photocatalytic NH₃ generation represents a clean, inexpensive and environmentally friendly method to transform water and nitrogen into ammonia utilizing sunlight under ambient conditions. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) building blocks have received great attention in the photocatalysis field thanks to their outstanding features of high surface area, plentiful reactive sites, ultrathin thickness and short charge-to-surface transfer distance. This perspective summarizes the design and synthesis of photocatalysts prepared utilizing 2D building blocks towards light-driven NH₃ production. Our contribution highlights the in-depth and comprehensive structure/composition–performance relationship in 2D building block based photocatalysts for light-induced NH₃ production. We also discuss the delicate and insightful reaction mechanisms in 2D building block based photocatalytic NH₃ production. Finally, we propose the possible opportunities in merging advanced characterization techniques as well as powerful theoretical computations towards the rational design and fabrication of high-performance 2D material based photocatalysts towards light-induced NH₃ generation.