Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Sulfur-doped g-C3N4/TiO2 S-scheme heterojunctions with 3D ordered macroporous structure achieve efficient H2O2 production in pure water, demonstrating the effectiveness of heterostructure engineering for solar-to-chemical conversion. • • B-doped g-C3N4 hierarchical architectures exhibit excellent photocatalytic H2O2 production and photoelectrochemical water splitting, highlighting the role of elemental doping in enhancing multifunctional performance. • • Construction of g-C3N4 with three-coordinated nitrogen (N3C) vacancies significantly enhances photocatalytic activities for N2 fixation and H2O2 production, underscoring the importance of defect engineering in catalytic mechanisms. • • Pt/g-C3N4 Schottky junction photocatalysts show enhanced visible-light H2O2 production, illustrating the impact of cocatalyst loading on charge separation and surface reactivity.
Abstract
The global pursuit of clean energy and environmental remediation has intensified research into solar-driven photocatalysis, with g-C3N4 emerging as a leading metal-free polymer semiconductor. Between 2020 and 2025, significant advances have been achieved in overcoming the inherent limitations of pristine g-C3N4, such as restricted light absorption (wavelengths <460 nm), rapid charge recombination, and insufficient active sites, through sophisticated modification strategies. This period has witnessed the refined development of elemental doping, defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and cocatalyst loading, each playing a critical role in enhancing optical properties, charge separation efficiency, and surface reactivity. Contemporary research increasingly focuses on band structure precision engineering, interfacial charge transfer pathways, and defect-mediated catalytic mechanisms. These developments are underpinned by advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Looking forward, emerging trends such as AI-guided material design, atomic-scale defect control, and operando analysis are shaping the next generation of high-efficiency g-C3N4 photocatalysts, offering a promising outlook for their application in sustainable energy conversion and environmental remediation.
1. Introduction
The escalating global energy crisis and environmental degradation have necessitated the development of sustainable technologies. Solar-driven photocatalysis, which harnesses photogenerated charge carriers to drive chemical reactions, offers a promising route for clean energy production and environmental remediation. Among various photocatalysts, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted considerable attention since the landmark discovery of its visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Its advantages include visible-light responsiveness, tunable electronic structure, low cost, facile synthesis, and high chemical stability. However, pristine g-C3N4 suffers from inherent limitations such as narrow light absorption (<460 nm), rapid charge recombination, and insufficient active sites, which restrict its practical efficiency.
To address these bottlenecks, extensive research from 2020 to 2025 has focused on sophisticated modification strategies, including elemental doping, defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and cocatalyst loading. These strategies aim to enhance optical properties, charge separation efficiency, and surface reactivity. The field has progressed from exploratory modifications to mechanistic deepening, with an emphasis on atomic-level and interface-specific engineering. Advanced characterization techniques have been pivotal in understanding the underlying mechanisms, while emerging trends such as AI-guided material design and operando analysis are set to shape the next generation of high-performance g-C3N4 photocatalysts.
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Jinlong Zhang, Xiaoyi Jiang, Dongxiao Wen, Jiahe Peng, Jizhou Jiang (2026). Emerging Trends of g-C3N4-Based Photocatalysts from 2020 to 2025. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4055-6
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary limitations of pristine g-C3N4 that hinder its practical photocatalytic efficiency?
Pristine g-C3N4 exhibits narrow light absorption confined to wavelengths below 460 nm, rapid charge recombination, and insufficient active sites, which collectively restrict its photocatalytic efficiency.
How do heterostructure constructions, such as S-scheme junctions, improve photocatalytic performance?
S-scheme heterojunctions, such as sulfur-doped g-C3N4/TiO2, facilitate efficient charge separation and transfer across the interface, enhancing photocatalytic H2O2 production in pure water.
What role does defect engineering play in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4?
Introducing specific defects, such as three-coordinated nitrogen (N3C) vacancies, can modulate the electronic structure and create active sites, significantly improving activities for N2 fixation and H2O2 production.
How does cocatalyst loading, such as Pt nanoparticles, affect the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4?
Loading cocatalysts like Pt forms Schottky junctions that enhance charge separation and provide active sites, leading to improved visible-light H2O2 production.
What advanced characterization techniques are essential for understanding the mechanisms in g-C3N4 photocatalysts?
Techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance are crucial for probing charge dynamics, surface reactions, and defect states.
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