Rapid thermal surface engineering of g-C3N4 for efficient hydrogen evolution

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a fascinating 2D photocatalyst, but preparing ultrathin g-C3N4 with outstanding surface properties by a green and facile method is still a tremendous challenge. In this research, gC(3)N(4) nanosheets were modified through H2O2-assisted rapid thermal surface treatment. The rapid decomposition of H2O2 molecules on the surface greatly optimized the surface properties of the catalyst. Thus, the modified gC(3)N(4) nanosheets had more interfacial active sites and broader visible light absorption and showed the largest hydrogen evolution rate of 894.9 mu mol g(-1) h(-1). Photoluminescence and electron spin resonance (ESR) assays showed that the modified photocatalyst accelerated charge transfer and thereby attained higher photocatalytic H-2 generation efficiency. This research offers a new strategy to develop g-C3N4-based 2D photocatalysts for H-2 preparation.

Automated summary

By modifying gC(3)N(4) nanosheets through H2O2-assisted rapid thermal surface treatment, the surface properties of the 2D photocatalyst were optimized, resulting in enhanced visible light absorption and hydrogen evolution rate. Photoluminescence and ESR assays demonstrated that the modified photocatalyst accelerated charge transfer, leading to higher photocatalytic efficiency in H-2 generation.