Triphenylphosphine assisted phosphorization of g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic activity

It is an effective strategy to regulate the structure of photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this work, a facile method was developed to introduce P atoms into g-C3N4 via the thermal calcination treatment. In contrast to pristine g-C3N4, the obtained P-CN(PPh3) exhibited a negative shift of conduction band edge with enhanced light absorption after the introduction of P atoms into g-C3N4, thus benefiting the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Moreover, the introduction of P element in g-C3N4 can also improve the charge separation during the photocatalytic hydrogen reaction, significantly accelerating the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of P-CN(PPh3).

Automated summary

A facile method was developed to introduce P atoms into g-C3N4 via thermal calcination treatment, resulting in P-CN(PPh3) with improved light absorption and negative shift of the conduction band edge compared to pristine g-C3N4. The introduction of P element also enhances charge separation and significantly accelerates the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate.