Issue 4, 2020

Catalytic reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia by bismuth-based catalysts: state of the art and future prospects

Abstract

Ammonia is a key industrial raw material for fertilisers, chemicals and energy. The annual artificial ammonia synthesis via the Haber–Bosch process results in about 2% of global energy consumption and can lead to 1.6% CO2 emission. Hence, it is urgent to develop low-cost and environmentally friendly approaches for artificial ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Recently, bismuth (Bi)-based catalysts have attracted great interest due to their excellent nitrogen fixation performance in electrochemical and photocatalytic fields. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive review on Bi-based nitrogen-fixation materials focusing on their crystal structure, surface engineering and modification methods, which is highly desirable for facilitating their further development towards applications. Herein, we provide an up-to-date review on Bi-based nitrogen-fixation materials and classify them as metallic Bi, bismuth oxide, bismuth oxyhalide, and Bi-based polyoxometalates. Starting from the underlying crystal structure, we analyse the internal electric field, surface engineering and modification methods of Bi-based nitrogen fixation materials. Then, we highlight the latest achievements of Bi-based materials and reveal the challenges and obstacles in the development and application of Bi-based nitrogen-fixation materials. More importantly, this review presents the surface and structure engineering strategies, and future directions for the development of new Bi-based nitrogen-fixation materials under ambient conditions.

Graphical abstract: Catalytic reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia by bismuth-based catalysts: state of the art and future prospects

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
19 okt 2019
Accepted
16 dec 2019
First published
16 dec 2019

Mater. Horiz., 2020,7, 1014-1029

Catalytic reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia by bismuth-based catalysts: state of the art and future prospects

Q. Hao, C. Liu, G. Jia, Y. Wang, H. Arandiyan, W. Wei and B. Ni, Mater. Horiz., 2020, 7, 1014 DOI: 10.1039/C9MH01668F

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