A facile molecular aggregation of isoquinoline based g-C3N4 for high photocatalytic performance under visible light illumination

Graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4 (CN) is regarded as an excellent metal-free semiconductor known for its potential solar fuel generation and pollutant degradation. In this study, a carbon richer substance, (5,8-dibromoisoquinoline (BQ)) was used to feed its catalytic function through conventional copolymerization (molecular doping) process at 550 degrees C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The incorporation of BQ monomer in the triazine oligomers of CN in turn enhanced the specific surface area, thereby, improving the lifespan of photoexcited charge carriers, decreasing the charge recombination rate, energy bandgap, and altering the optoelectronic characteristics of CN. On average, the rate of hydrogen (H-2) production over-optimized 10BQ/CN was 710.1 mu mol/h much superior and 10 times higher than that of pure CN (71.9 mu mol/h). Particularly, the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of RhB over 10BQ/CN followed pseudo-order kinetics and the rate constant was three times larger than pure CN. Our results illustrate the crucial importance of conjugated monomers in improving photocatalysis process for future energy demand by providing key steps towards sustainable energy production.

Automated summary

By incorporating the BQ monomer into carbon nitride, the photocatalytic reaction rate can be improved, the charge recombination rate can be reduced, and the optoelectronic characteristics can be altered, providing key steps towards sustainable energy production.