Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 217-224.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(20)63611-7

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Engineering graphitic carbon nitride with expanded interlayer distance for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Qiushi Yanga, Shaonian Hua, Yaxuan Yaob, Xiangang Lina, Haiwei Dua,*(), Yupeng Yuana,c,d,#()   

  1. aSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Ahhui, China
    bCenter for Advanced Measurement Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
    cKey Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials (Anhui University), Ministry of Education, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
    dEnergy Materials and Devices Key Lab of Anhui Province for Photoelectric Conversion, , Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
  • Received:2020-03-24 Accepted:2020-05-05 Online:2021-01-18 Published:2021-01-18
  • Contact: Haiwei Du,Yupeng Yuan
  • About author:#E-mail: yupengyuan@ahu.edu.cn
    *Tel: +86-551-63861279; Fax: +86-551-63891875; E-mail: haiwei.du@ahu.edu.cn;
    First author contact: These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(51872003);National Natural Science Foundation of China(51572003);Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(1908085J21);Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(1908085QB83);University Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Province(KJ2017A299);Research Start-up Fund of Anhui University(S020118002/011)

Abstract:

Regulating interlayer distance is a crucial factor in the development of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. A 2D metal-free photocatalyst, such as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), exhibits morphology- and microstructure-dependent photocatalytic activity. Herein, we report a straightforward and facile route for the preparation of unique lamellar g-C3N4, by co-firing melamine and ammonium chloride via microwave-assisted heating. Through the decomposition of NH4Cl, the evaporation of NH3 gas can effectively overcome van der Waals forces, expanding the interlayer distance of g-C3N4, thereby creating a lamellar structure consisting of nanosheets. Compared with bulk g-C3N4, the NH3-derived lamellar g-C3N4 exhibits a larger specific surface area and enhanced optical absorption capability, which increase photocatalytic hydrogen production because of the highly active structure, excellent utilization efficiency of photon energy, and low recombination efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. This study provides a simple strategy for the regulation of the g-C3N4 microstructure toward highly efficient photocatalytic applications.

Key words: Graphitic carbon nitride, Interlayer distance, Microwave-assisted heating, Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution