Fe doped SrWO₄ with tunable band structure for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Transition metal element doping into semiconducting materials has been a promising method for the preparation of active photocatalysts for the efficient use of solar energy. In this study, we report the facile synthesis of Fe doped SrWO₄ nanoparticles by a solvothermal method for photocatalytic nitrogen reduction. The intrinsic bandgap of SrWO₄ is greatly narrowed by the Fe-dopant which not only extends the light absorption from UV to visible light range, but also reduces the charge recombination. The narrowed band structure still fulfils the thermodynamic requirements of nitrogen reduction reaction. At optimal doping concentration, Fe doped SrWO₄ shows much higher photocatalytic nitrogen fixation performance. The present study provides a route toward the development of active photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation. (paper)