Recent progress in research and design concepts for the characterization, testing, and photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction

Abstract The reduction of molecular nitrogen (N₂) to ammonia (NH₃) under mild conditions is one of the most promising studies in the energy field due to the important role of NH₃ in modern industry, production, and life. The photocatalytic reduction of N₂ is expected to achieve clean and sustainable NH₃ production by using clean solar energy. To date, the new photocatalysts for photocatalytic reduction of N₂ to NH₃ at room temperature and atmospheric pressure have not been fully developed. The major challenge is to achieve high light‐absorption efficiency, conversion efficiency, and stability of photocatalysts. Herein, the methods for measuring produced NH₃ are compared, and the problems related to possible NH₃ pollution in photocatalytic systems are mentioned to provide accurate ideas for measuring photocatalytic efficiency. The recent progress of nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) photocatalysts at ambient temperature and pressure is summarized by introducing charge transfer, migration, and separation in photocatalytic NRR, which provides guidance for the selection of future photocatalyst selection. More importantly, we introduce the latest research strategies of photocatalysts in detail, which can guide the preparation and design of photocatalysts with high NRR activity.