Latest progress in g-C₃N₄ based heterojunctions for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting: a mini review

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride based heterojunction photocatalysts have gained increasing attention in producing the clean energy source of hydrogen. Coupling carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with other semiconductor materials or metals as co-catalysts is considered as an effective strategy to overcome the drawbacks of g-C3N4 such as the quick recombination of photogenerated charges. In this review, the recent research advancements in the construction of g-C3N4-based heterojunctions as well as their different charge separation/transfer mechanisms will be systematically discussed, making special emphasis on the design and fabrication of type-II, Z-scheme, S-scheme and Schottky heterojunctions and their application towards H2 generation from water splitting. Finally, a summary and some crucial issues, which should be further resolved for developing advanced g-C3N4-based heterojunction photocatalysts, are presented.

Improved Interfacial Charge Transfer on Noble Metal‐Free Biomimetic CdS‐Based Tertiary Heterostructure @ 2D MoS2‐CdS‐Cu2O with Enhanced Photocatalytic Water Splitting

“…In addition, 2D materials are better photocatalyst than layered bulk materials due to the change in surface properties, increased surface area, and tunable band gap. [ 5,27 ] So a lot of binary systems involving 2D materials such as C 3 N 4 , [ 28,29 ] metal chalcogenids, [ 11,30,31 ] and C 2 N [ 12 ] were reported as photocatalysts with improved results in recent times. In a dual cocatalytic system, active catalysts such as CdS or Cu 2 O are coupled with 2D materials such as metal chalcogenides or MXene, or other semiconducting materials [ 32,33 ] that increase the interfacial charge transfer and control the photocorrosion.…”

Hydrogen evolution via noble metals based photocatalysts: A review

“…However, efforts to synthesize g-C3N4 material continue in a simple and economical process [123]. Of course, the most practical way to improve the separation and transfer of charge carriers is to fabricationof heterojunction composites [124]. A common strategy for extending the lifespan of light-induced charge carriers is to construct a heterogeneous Z-scheme photocatalyst so that the redox potential is not reduced [125].…”

Emerging Cocatalysts on g‐C3N4 for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…With endless breakthroughs in regard to cocatalysts published recently, it is the right time to give a summary of cocatalysts/g-C 3 N 4 systems. Actually, many impressive reviews concerning the design strategies of g-C 3 N 4 -based photocatalysts, including element doping, [27] dimension modulation, [54,55] and heterostructure construction, [26,56] and their associated applications in water splitting [57][58][59][60] and CO 2 reduction, [61] were extensively summarized. However, a comprehensive review in the field of cocatalysts based on g-C 3 N 4 , including the concepts, functional mechanisms, and design principles of cocatalyst during the hydrogen evolution process, is underabundant.…”