New Strategies for Nitrogen Fixation and Pollution Control
Authors: Sun Hongwei , Quan Fengjiao , Mao Chengliang , Zhang Lizhi 
Published: August 2021

In the context of sustainable development and carbon neutrality, great efforts have been dedicated to the utilization of green energy such as sunlight and renewable electricity to tackle problems encountered amid energy‐ and emission‐intensive industries like nitrogen fixation. Despite significant progress made in the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation, they are still limited by the insufficient activity due to poor N2 activation. Herein, we reviewed our work focusing on the rational design of active sites for the efficient photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activation of molecular N2, including oxygen vacancy of BiOX, plasmonic Ru and Fe on TiO2–xHy, interfacial polarization field of single‐atom Fe and strained core‐shell Ru nanoparticles. Besides, this review also covers our endeavor to deal with environmental pollution based on the iron redox chemistry, including the O2 activation by low‐valent iron species, the acceleration of iron redox cycle to improve Fenton‐like reactivity, and the development of novel zero‐valent iron.

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?

Environmental chemistry of iron, including Fenton reaction, zero‐valent iron, other iron bearing materials and iron‐based pollutant control methods.

How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?

I entered the specific field of Environmental chemistry of iron when I started my research career in College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University. Environmental chemistry of iron is a frontier in environmental chemistry and geochemistry. Iron ranks the 4th most abundant element in the Earth's Crust and is ubiquitous in atmospheric aerosols, natural waters and soils as well as animals and plants. Iron could play an important role in the processes of the biogeochemical cycling in the environment and chemical dynamics in organisms because of its abundant existence and redox properties. Iron cycling and its coupling interactions can directly drive the geochemical cycling of some major and trace elements, such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur, and have strong influence on the fate, transport, transformation and bioavailability of natural contaminants.

How do you supervise your students?

I always encourage my students to innovate, persist and enjoy their researches.

What is the most important personality for scientific research?

The most important personality for scientific research is strong interest.

What's your hobby? What's your favorite book(s)?

My hobby is badminton. My favorite book is World of Plainness.

How do you keep balance between research and family?

Family is the warm harbor to strongly support my research and sooth pain and anxiety from life. I will stay with family and share my research progress with my family.

Who influences you mostly in your life?

Professor Jincai Zhao influences me mostly in my life. He guides and supports my research all the time as a godfather.

What is your favorite journal(s)?

Journal of the American Chemical Society.