P-doped graphitic carbon nitride tubes (P-CNTS) with different P concentrations were successfully fabricated via a pre-hydrothermal in combination with a calcination process under a nitrogen atmosphere. The as-prepared samples exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance with a hydrogen production rate (HPR) of 2749.3 μmol g-1 h-1, which was 17.5 and 6.6 times higher than that of the bulk graphitic carbon nitride (CNB) and graphitic carbon nitride tube (CNT). The structural and textural properties of the P-CNT samples were well-investigated via a series of characterization methods. Compared with the bulk g-C3N4, the tubular structure of the doped samples was provided with a larger specific surface area (SSA) and a relatively rough interior. Besides the above, surface defects were formed due to the doping, which could act as more active sites for the hydrogen production reaction. In addition, the introduction of the P element could effectively adjust the band-gap, strengthen the harvest of visible-light, and boost the effective separation of photogenerated charges. More interestingly, these findings can open up a novel prospect for the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance of the modified g-C3N4.
Keywords: P-doped; g-C3N4; photocatalytic hydrogen evolution; porous wall; surface defect.