The key role of photoisomerisation for the highly selective photocatalytic hydrogenation of azobenzene to hydrazobenzene over NaNbO3 fibre photocatalyst

The successful hydrogenation of azobenzene on NaNbO3 is inseparable with the trans-to-cis isomerisation under UV light irradiation. The moderate activation of NN bond in cis azobenzene on Nb site makes its hydrogenation reaction proceed smoothly. The 100 % selectivity towards hydrazobenzene over the surface of NaNbO3 can be attributed to the weak interaction between NaNbO3 and NN bond in hydrazobenzene.