Surface Physicochemistry Modification and Structural Nanoarchitectures of g-C3N4 for Wastewater Remediation and Solar Fuel Generation

The use of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been widely explored in multiple photocatalytic applications. The design and fabrication of g-C3N4 are heavily influenced by its overall activity, whereby optical and electronic properties dictate the performance of g-C3N4. Surface and chemical structural modifications are discussed in length to enhance photocatalytic g-C3N4. Facile preparation of g-C3N4 eases structural engineering at a molecular level. This review highlights and recapitulates recent progress on the strategies to enhance both structural and chemical properties of the g-C3N4 structure via surface functionalization and grafting, defect creation, elemental doping, covalent bonding with nonmetal and heterojunction interfacial formation. The emerging applications of g-C3N4 in numerous photocatalytic reactions are discussed. The significance of g-C3N4-based photocatalyst in various photocatalytic reactions signifies the imminent progress of frontier technologies. Thus, it is integral to overcome lurking challenges and devise superactive photocatalytic activity at a molecular level for sustainable environmental and energy-related applications.

Automated summary

The review discusses the wide exploration of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in various photocatalytic applications, highlighting strategies such as surface functionalization, defect creation, and elemental doping to enhance its structural and chemical properties. The importance of superactive photocatalytic activity at a molecular level for sustainable environmental and energy-related applications is emphasized as a crucial area for future research and development.