High-performance ScGaN nanowire photocatalysts for photochemical nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions

In this work, scandium gallium nitride (ScGaN) nanowires are investigated for photochemical nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia (NH3). GaN nanowires, a recently reported high-performance III-nitride catalyst for photochemical nitrogen fixation, are studied as a reference. Compared with GaN nanowires, ScGaN nanowires improve the NH3 yield by more than a factor of 2. Density functional theory calculations are performed to understand the mechanism. The more negative surface potential and stronger N2 binding energy are key contributing factors. With Si doping, a NH3 yield of 1926 μmol g−1 h−1 under ambient conditions and without using co-catalysts and organic scavengers is measured, among the highest values reported so far.