Facile synthesis of highly active g-C3N4 for efficient hydrogen production under visible light

A highly active graphitic C3N4 photocatalyst prepared from a mixture of urea and melamine with advanced structural, optical and electronic properties and enhanced photocatalytic activity for the production of hydrogen gas is explored. The prepared photocatalyst is able to generate a high rate of hydrogen gas production (135 mu mol h(-1)) by loading with 1 wt% Pt as a co-catalyst. The good separation of C3N4 sheets, lower recombination rate of excitons and the high amount of generated photocurrent have significantly contributed towards the photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride prepared from a mixture of urea and melamine.