Spatially separated HOMO-LUMO sites in highly intra- and inter-plane crystalline g-C3N4 photocatalyst for exceptional H2 generation

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is a prominent photocatalyst that has attracted substantial interest in the field of photocatalytic environmental remediation due to the low cost of fabrication, robust chemical structure, adaptable and tunable energy bandgaps, superior photoelectrochemical properties, cost‐effective feedstocks, and distinctive framework. Nonetheless, the practical application of bulk g‐C3N4 in the photocatalysis field is limited by the fast recombination of photogenerated e−‐h+ pairs, insufficient surface‐active sites, and restricted redox capacity. Consequently, a great deal of research has been devoted to solving these scientific challenges for large‐scale applications. This review concisely presents the latest advancements in g‐C3N4‐based photocatalyst modification strategies, and offers a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and preparation techniques for each strategy. It aims to articulate the complex relationship between theory, microstructure, and activities of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts for atmospheric protection. Finally, both the challenges and opportunities for the development of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts are highlighted. It is highly believed that this special review will provide new insight into the synthesis, modification, and broadening of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts for atmospheric protection.

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Modulation of π‐Electron Density in Ultrathin 2D Layers of Graphite Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Zhang,

Liu,

Fang

et al. 2024

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The rational design and synthesis of novel semiconductor nano‐/quantum materials have been ambitiously pursued in the field of photocatalysis as the technology is promising and critical for attaining future energy and environmental sustainability. Herein, the integrity of aromatic carbon into graphitic carbon nitride (CN) at the same molecular plane with a few 2D layers is achieved by using modulated precursors of CN, forming carbon regulated ultrathin CN (CUCN) with improved charge transfer kinetics and photocatalytic hydrogen production. The grafted graphite rings adjacent to carbon nitride frameworks induce a significant rearrangement and relocalization of the overall framework, and form conjugated sp2 hybridized interfaces and internal electric fields that drive the separation and directional transfer of photogenerated electrons from CN sheets towards intralayer graphite regions, where the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction occurs extensively, yielding largely increased HER rate of 2231.8 µmol g−1 h−1 by 8.2 times relative to CN, as well as a remarkable apparent quantum yield of 2.93% under monochromatic light at 420 nm. The high physicochemical stability and low synthesis cost of CUCN make it a potential benchmark photocatalyst that can be readily modified via element doping, heterojunction introduction, defect engineering, and so on, to further enhance its HER performance.

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Spatially separated HOMO-LUMO sites in highly intra- and inter-plane crystalline g-C3N4 photocatalyst for exceptional H2 generation

Cited by 9 publications

References 56 publications

Visible light induced efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production by graphdiyne/CoSe ohmic heterojunction

Visible light induced efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production by graphdiyne/CoSe ohmic heterojunction

Engineering of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C₃N₄) Based Photocatalysts for Atmospheric Protection: Modification Strategies, Recent Progress, and Application Challenges

Modulation of π‐Electron Density in Ultrathin 2D Layers of Graphite Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

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Spatially separated HOMO-LUMO sites in highly intra- and inter-plane crystalline g-C3N4 photocatalyst for exceptional H2 generation

Cited by 9 publications

References 56 publications

Visible light induced efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production by graphdiyne/CoSe ohmic heterojunction

Visible light induced efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production by graphdiyne/CoSe ohmic heterojunction

Engineering of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4) Based Photocatalysts for Atmospheric Protection: Modification Strategies, Recent Progress, and Application Challenges

Modulation of π‐Electron Density in Ultrathin 2D Layers of Graphite Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Contact Info

Product

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Engineering of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C₃N₄) Based Photocatalysts for Atmospheric Protection: Modification Strategies, Recent Progress, and Application Challenges