Catalytic Fixation of Nitrogen by the Photocatalytic CdS/Pt/RuO₂ Particulate System in the Presence of Aqueous [Ru(Hedta)N₂]^⊖ Complex

Abstract

The reduction of coordinated N 2 to ammonia at atmospheric pressure and room temperature has been the subject of numerous studies. In all cases the reduction proceeds stoichiometrically, requires large quantities of reducing agents, or has to be initiated electrochemically. The photochemical reduction of N 2 to NH 3 at 1 atm N 2 and 30 °C in aqueous solution in the presence of particles of the semiconductor system CdS/Pt/RuO 2 (excitation by visible light) and of the anionic dinitrogen‐ruthenium( II ) complex [Ru(Hedta)N 2 ] ⊖ as catalyst is now reported (Hedta = trianion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).