Enabling N2 to Ammonia Conversion in Bi2WO6‐Based Materials: A New Avenue in Photocatalytic Applications

The field of photocatalysis has been evolving since 1972 since Honda and Fujishima's initial push for using light as an energy source to accomplish redox reactions. Since then, many photocatalysts have been studied, semiconductors or otherwise. A new photocatalytic application to convert N2 gas to ammonia (N2 fixation or nitrogen reduction reaction; NRR) has emerged. Many researchers have steered their research in this direction due to developments in the ease of ammonia detection through UV‐Vis spectroscopy. This concept will specifically discuss Bi2WO6‐based materials, techniques to enhance their photocatalytic activity (CO2 reduction, H2 production, pollutant removal, etc.), and their current application in photocatalytic NRR. Initially, a brief introduction of Bi2WO6 along with its VB and CB potentials will be compared to various redox potentials. A final topic of interest would be a brief description of photocatalytic nitrogen fixation with additional consideration to Bi2WO6‐based materials in N2 fixation. A major problem with photocatalytic NRR is the false ammonia quantification in Bi‐based materials, which will be discussed in detail and also ways to minimize them. Photocatalytic N2 fixation is an emerging application for ammonia production via sustainable means. N2 gas activation onto the photocatalyst remains a challenge for current researchers. This concept summarizes the latest developments in this field in Bi2WO6‐based photocatalysts for enhancing N2 chemisorption for maximum ammonia production. The final of this concept mentioned the possible problems with false ammonia quantification and how to do rectification.