Surface Modification of Ce2S3 Decorated CeO2 Nanorods for Enhanced N2 Photofixation Performance

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation using solar energy has garnered widespread attention. Herein, we report surface modifications of Ce2S3-decorated cubic CeO2 nanorods, which enhance visible-light utilization and suppress electron-hole recombination. The modified samples exhibit improved N2 photofixation rates exceeding 80 µmol g_cat^ - 1 h–1 under full-spectrum irradiation and 125 µmol g_cat^ - 1 h–1 under visible light without any additives. These enhancements stem from high concentration defects serving as active sites for N2 reduction, facilitated by the unique heterostructure in Ce2S3/CeO2 composites. Additionally, an upshifted Fermi level reduces the work function, accelerating electron transfer. This work provides a new strategy for developing more effective catalysts for N2 fixation.