Tuning Photoactive MIL-68(In) by Functionalized Ligands for Boosting Visible-Light Nitrogen Fixation

In this work, MIL-68(In) functionalized with various ligand substitutions including amine, hydroxyl, bromine, nitro, and methyl groups was prepared, via a one-pot solvothermal reaction for visible-light photocatalytic ammonia synthesis. The diversity of ligands tunes the morphology, geometry, pore environment, and electronic structure of MIL-68(In)-based photocatalysts due to the polarity and intraframework interactions. Amine-inserted MIL-68(In) outperforms its counterparts, presenting a boosted nitrogen photofixation rate of 140.34 μmol g_cat^–1 h^–1 with an apparent quantum efficiency of 5.69% at 420 nm. Further, the size of the batch solvothermal reactor and the amine group content also influence the photocatalytic activity. The combined experimental and theoretical results reveal that amine substituents improve the chemisorption of nitrogen molecules and the conversion of nitrogen into ammonia follows a dual pathway, i.e., a Mars–van Krevelen process and a ligand-to-metal charge transfer mechanism. This work provides a molecular engineering strategy via dual catalysis toward efficient ammonia production.