A Cocrystal Precursor Strategy for Carbon-Rich Graphitic Carbon Nitride toward High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

• Main Authors: Xiaoyu Fang, Rui Gao, Yongsheng Yang, Dongpeng Yan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-06-01
• Series: iScience
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900421930152X

Summary: Direct and efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting is crucial for the sustainable conversion and storage of renewable solar energy. Herein, we present the design of a carbon-rich graphitic carbon nitride (Cco-C3N4), prepared from a layered molecular cocrystal precursor. The cocrystal microsheets were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal process. Following two-step thermal treatment and liquid exfoliation, the product maintains the 2D morphology owing to the toptactic transformation process. The Cco-C3N4 exhibits an enhanced photogenerated electron-hole separation, high charge transport capacity, and prolonged lifetime of the carriers, relative to the g-C3N4 system. In the absence of any sacrificial reagent or co-catalyst, the Cco-C3N4 microsheets exhibit a high photocatalytic activity. The work presented in this report supplies a cocrystal route for the orderly molecular self-assembly of precursor materials to tailor the chemical compositions and electronic structures. Moreover, the generation of a highly efficient water-splitting photocatalyst has larger implications for sustainable energy applications. : Catalysis; Electrochemical Energy Conversion; Materials Characterization Techniques Subject Areas: Catalysis, Electrochemical Energy Conversion, Materials Characterization Techniques