Nitrogen Fixation Reaction Derived from Nanostructured Catalytic Materials

Abstract An efficient nitrogen fixation reaction is highly desirable for obtaining the essential chemicals and energy carriers but remains a challenge due to the strong nonpolar bonding and considerable activation barrier of the NN triple bond (bond energy 940.95 kJ mol −1 ). Using an appropriate nanostructured catalyst that strongly interacts with nitrogen could promote adsorption and activation, lowering the energy barrier of nitrogen fixation and thus resulting in a relatively mild reaction. In this article, the review of the recent progress in nanostructured catalytic materials for nitrogen fixation is presented, including a comprehensive introduction and discussion on the pathway and mechanism of nitrogen fixation reaction, the recent achievements of a variety of nanostructured catalysts, and the kinds of catalytic nitrogen fixation reactions they are used in. In addition, the challenges faced by the reaction, strategies of catalyst design, and outlooks for further improving the performance of nitrogen fixation are also highlighted.