Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Nitrogen-Rich Carbon Nanofibers: Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution without Cocatalysts

An interconnected framework of mesoporous graphitic-C3N4 nanofibers merged with insitu incorporated nitrogen-rich carbon has been prepared. The unique composition and structure of the nanofibers as well as strong coupling between the components endow them with efficient light-harvesting properties, improved charged separation, and a multidimensional electron transport path that enhance the performance of hydrogen production. The as-obtained catalyst exhibits an extremely high hydrogen-evolution rate of 16885molh(-1)g(-1), and a remarkable apparent quantum efficiency of 14.3% at 420nm without any cocatalysts, which is much higher than most reported g-C3N4-based photocatalysts even in the presence of Pt-based cocatalysts.