Effect of Carbon Doping on CO2-Reduction Activity of Single Cobalt Sites in Graphitic Carbon Nitride

Single-atom catalysts have demonstrated interesting activity in a variety of applications. In this study, we prepared single Co2+ sites on graphitic carbon nitride (C3N4), which was doped with carbon for enhanced activity in visible-light CO2 reduction. The synthesized materials were characterized with a variety of techniques, including microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Doping C3N4 with carbon was found to have profound effect on the photocatalytic activity of the single Co2+ sites. At relatively low levels, carbon doping enhanced the photoresponse of C3N4 in the visible region and improved charge separation upon photoactivation, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activity. High levels of carbon doping were found to be detrimental to the photocatalytic activity of the single Co2+ sites by altering the structure of C3N4 and generating defect sites responsible for charge recombination.

Automated summary

Single-atom catalysts, specifically single Co2+ sites on carbon-doped graphitic carbon nitride, show enhanced activity in visible-light CO2 reduction. The carbon doping improves the photoresponse of C3N4 in the visible region and enhances charge separation, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity. However, high levels of carbon doping can have a detrimental effect on the photocatalytic activity by altering the structure of C3N4 and generating defect sites responsible for charge recombination.