Graphitic Carbon Nitride Polymers toward Sustainable Photoredox Catalysis

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2015 Oct 26;54(44):12868-84. doi: 10.1002/anie.201501788. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

Abstract

As a promising two-dimensional conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) has been utilized as a low-cost, robust, metal-free, and visible-light-active photocatalyst in the field of solar energy conversion. This Review mainly describes the latest advances in g-C3 N4 photocatalysts for water splitting. Their application in CO2 conversion, organosynthesis, and environmental purification is also briefly discussed. The methods to modify the electronic structure, nanostructure, crystal structure, and heterostructure of g-C3 N4 , together with correlations between its structure and performance are illustrated. Perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for the future exploration of g-C3 N4 photocatalysts are provided. This Review will promote the utilization of g-C3 N4 materials in the fields of photocatalysis, energy conversion, environmental remediation, and sensors.

Keywords: conjugated polymer; graphitic carbon nitride; photocatalysis; two-dimensional materials; water splitting.

Publication types

  • Review