Indium sulfide nanotubes with sulfur vacancies as an efficient photocatalyst for nitrogen fixation

We have designed and manufactured In2S3 nanotubes containing sulfur vacancies as effective and stable photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation and ammonia production. In the preparation process of In2S3, a self-templated strategy was used to obtain the nanotubes. The sulfur vacancies were then manufactured by calcination under a nitrogen atmosphere. The existence of sulfur vacancies enhances the light absorption and promotes the separation and migration of the photoinduced charge carriers. In addition, sulfur vacancies can serve as the active sites to achieve strong N2 adsorption and activation. Thus the obtained samples show enhanced photocatalytic performance with a high NH3 generation rate (52.49 μmol h−1 g−1) and excellent stability under UV-vis light.