Short‐time Thermal Oxidation of Ultrathin and Broadband Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalytic H₂ Generation

Abstract

Broadband light absorption and excellent charge separation/migration efficiency are two important indicators for promising photocatalyst. However, realizing the above two aspects simultaneously is still a challenge. Here, an ultrathin and broadband carbon nitride (UBCN) is synthesized via a short‐time thermal oxidation process. The as‐prepared UBCN exhibits outstanding photocatalytic H2 generation activity (240.60 μmol h−1) under irradiation with λ>400 nm. Moreover, UBCN can work under irradiation with a longer wavelength (λ>500 nm), the corresponding H2 evolution rate is 5.08 μmol h−1, which is 14.8 times higher than that of bulk carbon nitride (Bulk CN). The excellent photocatalytic performance should be credited to the efficient charge separation/migration (the ultrathin structure) and the extended light absorption range. This work provides a simple and convenient strategy to prepare broadband and ultrathin metal‐free photocatalytic materials.

Editorial: Photocatalysis – From Solar Power to Sustainable Chemical Production

“…Moreover, Mo et al . evidently confirmed that the ultrathin and broadband carbon nitride was successfully prepared by short‐time thermal oxidation for photocatalytic H 2 generation . The as‐prepared ultrathin and broadband carbon nitride exhibited outstanding photocatalytic H 2 generation activity of 240.60 μmol/h under irradiation with λ > 400 nm.…”

Piezoelectric induced reverse photocatalytic performances of carbon nitride with different structures

“…1b-d, and S1 †) shows that the melon is constituted by glassy bulky flakes, which is consistent with the literature. 35 Similar to the melon, the PHI has a bulky morphology, however with an obvious circular porous structure and thus a rougher surface. Comparatively, the PTI has a hollow tube structure with a length of several micrometers, a horizontal width of approximately 500 nm and a wall thickness of around 100 nm.…”

Simultaneous manipulation of scalable absorbance and the electronic bridge for efficient CO2 photoreduction

“…However, there is a significant decrease in the intensity of the peak at 1100–1600 cm −1 , indicating a change in aromatic CN or C–N species. 35 Additionally, the presence of abundant –OH species near 3500 cm −1 suggests a strong correlation between improved hydrophilic properties of bulk CN. 36 Fig.…”