Foamed copper-based three-dimensional monolithic Cu6Mo5O18-X/CuInS2 microreactor for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation

Abstract

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation often exhibits low efficiency due to the inert NN triple bond and limitations in conventional reactor designs, which hinder reduction activation and photon utilization. To address these challenges, this study introduces microreactor technology into photocatalytic systems, leveraging a three-dimensional monolithic catalyst (CuInS₂/Cu₆Mo₅O_18-X@CF) where oxygen vacancy (OV)-induced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and an S-scheme heterojunction synergistically enhance charge separation. The monolithic microreactor significantly improved mass transfer by optimizing reactant flow dynamics, achieving an ammonia yield of 63.61 μmol·g_cat^-1·h^-1 under visible light irradiation 8.1-fold higher than conventional quartz tube reactors. Furthermore, the system demonstrated remarkable stability and durability over multiple cycles. This work provides a promising strategy for advancing photocatalytic microreaction technologies, offering a pathway to efficient nitrogen fixation through integrated catalyst and reactor design.