Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising material for photocatalytic applications such as solar fuels production through CO2 reduction and water splitting, and environmental
remediation through the degradation of organic pollutants. This promise reflects the advantageous photophysical properties of g-C3N4 nanostructures, notably high surface area, quantum efficiency, interfacial charge separation and transport, and ease of modification through either composite formation or the incorporation of desirable surface functionalities. Here, we review recent progress in the synthesis and photocatalytic applications of diverse g-C3N4 nanostructured materials, and highlight the physical basis underpinning their performance for each application. Potential new architectures, such as hierarchical or composite g-C3N4 nanostructures, that may offer further
performance enhancements in solar energy harvesting and conversion are also outlined.
remediation through the degradation of organic pollutants. This promise reflects the advantageous photophysical properties of g-C3N4 nanostructures, notably high surface area, quantum efficiency, interfacial charge separation and transport, and ease of modification through either composite formation or the incorporation of desirable surface functionalities. Here, we review recent progress in the synthesis and photocatalytic applications of diverse g-C3N4 nanostructured materials, and highlight the physical basis underpinning their performance for each application. Potential new architectures, such as hierarchical or composite g-C3N4 nanostructures, that may offer further
performance enhancements in solar energy harvesting and conversion are also outlined.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 74 |
| Journal | Catalysts |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Feb 2018 |
Bibliographical note
© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords
- g-C3N4
- photocatalysis
- nanomaterials
- CO2 reduction
- H2 evolution
- semiconductor
- environmental remediation