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Unraveling fundamental active units in carbon nitride for photocatalytic oxidation reactions

Author

Listed:
  • Chaofeng Huang

    (Southeast University
    School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Shihezi University)

  • Yaping Wen

    (Nanjing University)

  • Jin Ma

    (Southeast University)

  • Dandan Dong

    (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Shihezi University)

  • Yanfei Shen

    (Southeast University)

  • Songqin Liu

    (Southeast University)

  • Haibo Ma

    (Nanjing University)

  • Yuanjian Zhang

    (Southeast University)

Abstract

Covalently bonded carbon nitride (CN) has stimulated extensive attention as a metal-free semiconductor. However, because of the complexity of polymeric structures, the acquisition of critical roles of each molecular constituent in CN for photocatalysis remains elusive. Herein, we clarify the fundamental active units of CN in photocatalysis by synthesizing CN with more detailed molecular structures. Enabled by microwave synthesis, the as-prepared CN consists of distinguishable melem (M1) and its incomplete condensed form (M2). We disclose rather than the traditional opinion of being involved in the whole photocatalytic processes, M1 and M2 make primary contributions in light absorption and charge separation, respectively. Meanwhile, oxygen molecules are unusually observed to be activated by participating in the photoexcited processes via electronic coupling mainly to M2. As a result, such CN has a higher activity, which was up to 8 times that of traditional bulk CN for photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline in water.

Suggested Citation

  • Chaofeng Huang & Yaping Wen & Jin Ma & Dandan Dong & Yanfei Shen & Songqin Liu & Haibo Ma & Yuanjian Zhang, 2021. "Unraveling fundamental active units in carbon nitride for photocatalytic oxidation reactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20521-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20521-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Liu & Jianhui Sun & Houhou Huang & Linlu Bai & Xiaomeng Zhao & Binhong Qu & Lunqiao Xiong & Fuquan Bai & Junwang Tang & Liqiang Jing, 2023. "Improving CO2 photoconversion with ionic liquid and Co single atoms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Qing Hong & Hong Yang & Yanfeng Fang & Wang Li & Caixia Zhu & Zhuang Wang & Sicheng Liang & Xuwen Cao & Zhixin Zhou & Yanfei Shen & Songqin Liu & Yuanjian Zhang, 2023. "Adaptable graphitic C6N6-based copper single-atom catalyst for intelligent biosensing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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