Design, Fabrication, and Mechanism of Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene‐Based Photocatalyst

Abstract

Solving energy and environmental problems through solar‐driven photocatalysis is an attractive and challenging topic. Hence, various types of photocatalysts have been developed successively to address the demands of photocatalysis. Graphene‐based materials have elicited considerable attention since the discovery of graphene. As a derivative of graphene, nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) particularly stands out. Nitrogen atoms can break the undifferentiated structure of graphene and open the bandgap while endowing graphene with an uneven electron density distribution. Therefore, NG retains nearly all the advantages of original graphene and is equipped with several novel properties, ensuring infinite possibilities for NG‐based photocatalysis. This review introduces the atomic and band structures of NG, summarizes in situ and ex situ synthesis methods, highlights the mechanism and advantages of NG in photocatalysis, and outlines its applications in different photocatalysis directions (primarily hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, and as photoactive ingredient). Lastly, the central challenges and possible improvements of NG‐based photocatalysis in the future are presented. This study is expected to learn from the past and achieve progress toward the future for NG‐based photocatalysis.

MOFs‐Derived N‐Doped Carbon‐Encapsulated Metal/Alloy Electrocatalysts to Tune the Electronic Structure and Reactivity of Carbon Active Sites†

“…[ 35 ] However, its electronic properties can be easily altered by introducing heteroatoms such as nitrogen. [ 36‐38 ] Due to the different electronegativity between N ( χ = 3.04) and C ( χ = 2.55) atoms, electrons will transfer from C to N, inducing positive charges on C and the back‐donation of the lone‐ pair electrons from N to C. Both effects could synergistically increase the density of states at the Fermi level, changing inert C atoms into active sites. [ 39 ] Therefore, increasing nitrogen contents in M@NG generally leads to increased number of active sites.…”

In situ Irradiated XPS Investigation on S‐Scheme TiO2@ZnIn2S4 Photocatalyst for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction (PCR) into chemical fuels under mild conditions is recognized to be promising for alleviating energy crisis and greenhouse effect. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Therefore, reasonable design of efficient photocatalysts is necessary to improve PCR performance. Among various semiconductor photocatalysts, TiO 2 has received great attention due to its non-toxicity, costeffectiveness, and excellent chemical stability.…”

Controlling metallic Co0 in ZIF-67-derived N-C/Co composite catalysts for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction

“…Additionally, carbon-based materials usually have good conductivity. Introducing conductive substances is one of the most powerful ways to promote charge transfer [20,21]. On the basis of these considerations, the combination of transition metals and carbon materials will improve photocatalytic CO 2 reduction.…”