Surface modulation and structural engineering of graphitic carbon nitride for electrochemical sensing applications

The rediscovery of the old-age material graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a 2D conducting polymer, has given rise to a tide of articles exploring its diverse applications. Recently, owing to its excellent physicochemical stability and tunable electronic structure, the material has proven to be an eminent candidate for improving the sensing quality of electrodes. Excellent properties of g-C3N4 such as exposed surface area, metal-free characteristics, and low-cost synthesis have attracted facile and economical designing of sensors for a variety of analyte molecules. Herein, the readers are introduced to the historical development of g-C3N4 and escorted to the present findings of its electrochemical sensing applications. Along with its sensing utilities, the review shares some exciting insights into the synthesis, structural, and surface chemistry modulations of g-C3N4. A great many approaches for overcoming the inherent limitations have also been critically discussed, starting with the precursor in use. This review article aims to provide a concise perspective and direction to future researchers for enabling them to fabricate smart and eco-friendly sensors using g-C3N4.