Light-Driven Trap Engineering in Direct Z-Scheme Channels for Ultrafast N <sub>2</sub> Fixation
Employing density functional theory (DFT) combined nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD), we revealed that the shallow charge trap states, induced by Se vacancy and B atom doping strategies, regulate the transport mode and velocity of photoexcited carriers within the C<sub>7</sub>N<sub>6</sub>/MoSe<sub>2</sub> heterojunction. The rapid capture-release mechanism introduced by shallow trap states accelerates the interlayer recombination of weak carriers, reducing the lifetime from 22.37 ps to 1.35-1.62 ps and thereby minimizing the recombination-induced loss of highly active carriers. Real-time time-dependent DFT (RT-TDDFT) demonstrates that photogenerated electrons activate inert N<sub>2</sub> within 55 fs, preceding carrier deactivation. Boron dopants further facilitate N<sub>2</sub> fixation via the "acceptance-donation" mechanism, achieving a remarkably low limiting potential of -0.23 V and significantly improving NH<sub>3</sub> selectivity. This study modulates charge migration and recombination channels in the Z-scheme heterojunction through loading and defect strategies to enhance carrier redox capabilities, providing an alternative perspective for achieving photocatalytic N<sub>2</sub> fixation under ambient conditions.
Authors
- Dahu Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3713-0698)
- Cun‐biao Lin
- Gui‐Lin Zhuang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4763-7397)
- Wen‐Xian Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5539-8883)
Institutions
- Chemical Synthesis Lab (SG)
- Anhui Normal University (CN)
- Zhejiang University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
- Published
- 2025-12-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c02879
- Primary Topic
- Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00