Synthesis of Porous Carbon Nitride Nanobelts for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2

Molecules. 2022 Sep 16;27(18):6054. doi: 10.3390/molecules27186054.

Abstract

Sustainable conversion of CO2 to fuels using solar energy is highly attractive for fuel production. This work focuses on the synthesis of porous graphitic carbon nitride nanobelt catalyst (PN-g-C3N4) and its capability of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The surface area increased from 6.5 m2·g-1 (graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4) to 32.94 m2·g-1 (PN-g-C3N4). C≡N groups and vacant N2C were introduced on the surface. PN-g-C3N4 possessed higher absorbability of visible light and excellent photocatalytic activity, which was 5.7 and 6.3 times of g-C3N4 under visible light and simulated sunlight illumination, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity may be owing to the porous nanobelt structure, enhanced absorbability of visible light, and surface vacant N-sites. It is expected that PN-g-C3N4 would be a promising candidate for CO2 photocatalytic conversion.

Keywords: CO2 reduction; carbon nitride; photocatalyst; porous materials.