A. Pashkova, B. O. Burek, J. Z. Bloh
Catal. Sci. Technol. (2022) 12, 2755-2760, doi: 10.1039/D2CY00350C
Novel processes for the sustainable production of fertilizers are highly sought after to combat climate change. Herein, we demonstrate that by irradiating with strong UVA-light, TiO2 is able to photocatalytically oxidize molecular nitrogen in the gas phase under ambient conditions to NOx and nitrate. The reaction produces predominantly nitrogen dioxide with a high selectivity of up to 93% which could be captured afterwards to produce nitric acid or nitrates and used as sustainable (solar) fertilizer.
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2022