Construction of FeIn2S4/Palygorskite nanocomposite for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation coupled with biomass conversion

Photocatalytic N2 fixation coupled with biomass conversion into value-added chemicals is an attractive strategy for achieving sustainable and ecological development. Herein, the octahedral cation sites of acid-activated palygorskite (Pal) were substituted by Fe ions using microwave hydrothermal method to achieve lattice reconstruction. Then FeIn2S4/Fe-Pal (FIS/Fe-Pal) composites were synthesized by loading indium iron sulfide on the surface of Fe-Pal, which were employed for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation coupling with cellulose biomass conversion. When the mass ratio of Fe-Pal to FeIn2S4 was 0.4:1, the photocatalyst showed the highest NH4 + production of 583 & mu;mol/g and formate production of 265 & mu;mol/g after 6 h illumination. The sulfur vacancies together with Fe ions in FIS/Fe-Pal formed dual active sites favoring the adsorption and activation of N2 in glucose solution. In addition, the introduction of FeIn2S4 expanded the light absorption range improving the light utilization. This work opens up a new window for the coupling of nitrogen fixation and biomass conversion by taking advantage of natural clay and solar energy.