Photoreforming of Lignocellulose into H-2 Using Nanoengineered Carbon Nitride under Benign Conditions

Photoreforming of lignocellulose is a promising approach toward sustainable H-2 generation, but this kinetically challenging reaction currently requires UV-absorbing or toxic light absorbers under harsh conditions. Here, we report a cyanamide-functionalized carbon nitride, (CNX)-C-NCN, which shows enhanced performance upon ultrasonication. This activated (CNX)-C-NCN allows for the visible-light driven conversion of purified and raw lignocellulose samples into H-2 in the presence of various proton reduction cocatalysts. The reported room-temperature photoreforming process operates under benign aqueous conditions (pH approximate to 2-15) without the need for toxic components.