Work function tuning local charge transfer over Ru–C decorated CeO2 nanorods for enabled photocatalytic ammonia synthesis

Prospective nitrogen fixation method of photocatalysis used solar energy has received more attentions, but lower visible-light utilization efficiency and absorption ability are the main bottleneck to restrict the progress of photocatalytic reactions. Herein, the carbon dots (CDs) -Ru co-decorated CeO 2 nanorods are assembled successfully, which not only increase the N 2 chemisorption capacity greatly, but also provide more adsorption activity sites. The as-prepared catalysts illustrate the improved N 2 fixation rates with 355 μmol·g cal −1 ·h −1 or 204 μmol·g cal −1 ·h −1 under full spectrum light or visible light without any sacrificial agents, which have near tripled compared to CDs or Ru decorated CeO 2 sample. The co-decorated catalysts also demonstrate the excellent light absorption capacity and higher charge separation efficiency. Furthermore, the DFT simulation results illustrate that the synergistic effects of CDs and Ru active sites can lower the energy barrier of the rate-limiting step, thus improving the ammonia synthesis efficiencies during the photocatalytic N 2 fixation process via the distal pathway. This work offers a new perspective to develop the more effective strategy for the N 2 fixation catalysts. • CDs-Ru co-decorated CeO 2 nanorods are assembled successfully. • Higher visible light absorption and N 2 chemisorption abilities are obtained. • The ·OH and ·O 2 - are simultaneously induced under lighting. • Work function tuning and distal pathway are proffered via the DFT calculations.