Nanostructured materials based on g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic activity and potentials application: A review

Semiconductor-based photocatalytic technology is regarded as an efficient pathway for resolving the energy scarcity across the globe. In this regard, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)based materials could be alternatively employed in photochemical applications such as photovoltaic energy generation via CO2 photoreduction and water splitting, along with natural resource purification via organic/inorganic pollutant degradation. Indeed, this kind of assertion has been made by considering the intrinsic physicochemical properties of g-C3N4 nanomaterials, owing to their increased surface area, quantum yield, surface charge isolation, distribution, and ease of modification through material configuration or incorporation of preferred interfacial capabilities. This review article has been designed to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the further assessment of the important advancements in fabrication along with photochemical applications of various g-C3N4 nanomaterials, while specifically focusing on the scientific reason behind its success in each assessment. The discovery of interventions to alleviate such restrictions and boost photocatalytic performance has gained substantial interest. Following photo-excitation fundamentals, this work explains two distinct photoexcitation mechanisms, the carrier and charge transfer techniques, wherein the significant exciting state impact of g-C3N4 has still not been widely focused on in past studies. In this regards, we cautiously introduce the updated advances and associated functions of the alteration techniques, including morphological features, elemental dopants, deficiency engineering, and heterojunction implemented in photocatalytic performance, which are equated from the carrier and charge transport perceptions. The future perspectives in designing and properly tuning the highly active hierarchical or copolymer g-C3N4 nanoparticles in a photocatalytic system, which may improve the renewable energy cultivation and reduction efficiency are critically deciphered in detail and outlined thoroughly. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.