Dynamic in situ Formation of Cu₂ O Sub-Nanoclusters through Photoinduced pseudo-Fehling's Reaction for Selective and Efficient Nitrate-to-Ammonia Photosynthesis

Copper (Cu) is evidenced to be effective for constructing advanced catalysts. In particular, Cu₂ O is identified to be active for general catalytic reactions. However, conflicting results regarding the true structure-activity correlations between Cu₂ O-based active sites and efficiencies are usually reported. The structure of Cu₂ O undergoes dynamic evolution rather than remaining stable under working conditions, in which the actual reaction cannot proceed over the prefabricated Cu₂ O sites. Therefore, the dynamic construction of Cu₂ O active sites can be developed to promote catalytic efficiency and reveal the true structure-activity correlations. Herein, by introducing the redox pairs of Cu²⁺ and reducing sugar into a photocatalysis system, it is clarified that the Cu₂ O sub-nanoclusters (NCs), working as novel active sites, are on-site constructed on the substrate via a photoinduced pseudo-Fehling's route. The realistic interfacial charge separation and transformation capacities are remarkably promoted by the dynamic Cu₂ O NCs under the actual catalysis condition, which achieves a milestone efficiency for nitrate-to-ammonia photosynthesis, including the targets of production rate (1.98±0.04 mol g_Cu ^-1 h^-1 ), conversion ratio (94.2±0.91 %), and selectivity (98.6 %±0.55 %). The current work develops an effective strategy for integrating the active site construction into realistic reactions, providing new opportunities for Cu-based chemistry and catalysis sciences research.