Structure Engineered g-C3N4 Nano-Sheets by Switching the Pyrolysis Gas Atmosphere for Enhanced Photo-Catalytic Degradation

A new one step approach to synthesize g-C3N4 nano-sheets by direct thermal pyrolysis process of urea in NH3 atmosphere. For the first time, the influence of the preparation gas atmosphere on the composition, crystalline and polymerization degree, and the photocatalytic activity of the g-C3N4 synthesized from thermal condensation of urea was investigated. Furthermore, we studied in depth the structure-performance relationship in the system, and it was found that the synergistic effect of the larger surface area, the adjusted band energy structure and the well crystallization may be conductive to the higher separation of the electron- hole pair, thus leading to the wonderful performance for the g-C₃N₄-NH₃. Notably, the method has the merits of low cost, scalable production and environmental friendliness.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cjoc.201600608/pdf