Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • BSCN homojunction achieves a hydrogen evolution rate of 14.409 mmol g−1 h−1, which is 75-fold and 3.4-fold higher than pristine BCN and SCN, respectively, demonstrating a significant performance leap for practical solar fuel generation. • • DFT calculations reveal a near-thermoneutral ΔGH* of 0.12 eV at S-doped sites, indicating optimized HER kinetics that reduce overpotential losses and enhance catalytic efficiency. • • The interwoven porous nanotube/nanosheet architecture provides a large specific surface area and abundant exposed active sites, improving reactant accessibility and charge transfer kinetics. • • In situ XPS and DFT confirm an S-scheme charge transfer mechanism at the BCN/SCN interface, which effectively suppresses charge recombination and prolongs carrier lifetime, critical for high quantum efficiency.
Abstract
A dual-doping strategy incorporating boron (B) and sulfur (S) into graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was employed to engineer band structures and construct an S-scheme homojunction (BSCN) for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution. The BSCN catalyst exhibited an interwoven architecture of porous nanotubes and nanosheets, providing a large specific surface area and abundant active sites. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed an S-scheme charge transfer mechanism at the BCN/SCN interface, driven by a built-in electric field that facilitates efficient spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Photoelectrochemical measurements confirmed improved light harvesting and charge separation. DFT simulations indicated near-thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGH* = 0.12 eV) at S-doped sites, favorable for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics. The optimized BSCN achieved an exceptional H2 evolution rate of 14.409 mmol g−1 h−1, approximately 75-fold and 3.4-fold higher than pristine BCN and SCN, respectively. This work establishes a rational doping-mediated approach for designing high-efficiency g-C3N4 homojunctions and provides mechanistic insights into S-scheme charge transfer for solar-driven H2 production.
1. Introduction
Conventional g-C3N4 photocatalysts suffer from rapid charge recombination and limited visible-light absorption, constraining their solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Heterojunction engineering, particularly S-scheme configurations, offers a pathway to mitigate these issues by promoting spatial charge separation while preserving strong redox potential. However, constructing intimate interfaces with controlled band alignment remains challenging, often requiring complex multi-step syntheses or noble metal co-catalysts that impede scalability and cost-effectiveness.
This work introduces a synergistic boron and sulfur dual-doping strategy to simultaneously modulate the electronic structure and morphology of g-C3N4, enabling the formation of an S-scheme homojunction (BSCN) with a built-in electric field. The approach directly addresses the bottleneck of inefficient charge separation by creating a seamless interface between B-doped (BCN) and S-doped (SCN) domains, as evidenced by in situ XPS and DFT. The resulting catalyst achieves a remarkable H2 evolution rate of 14.409 mmol g−1 h−1, outperforming pristine counterparts by orders of magnitude, and offers a scalable, noble-metal-free route for high-performance photocatalytic water splitting.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
ZHANG Yueting, SONG Changhui, FAN Jipeng, FANG Zhijie, WANG Haitao, MO Man, ZOU Jing (2026). Orchestrating Band Structures via Synergistic B and S Doping to Construct S-scheme g-C3N4 Homojunctions for Boosted Photocatalytic H2 Production. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-026-4299-9
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long-term stability of the BSCN photocatalyst under continuous illumination, and are there any signs of deactivation due to photo-corrosion or structural degradation?
The paper does not explicitly report long-term stability tests beyond the initial activity measurements. However, the catalyst's robust interwoven architecture and the absence of noble metals suggest potential resilience. For industrial application, extended cycling tests (e.g., >24 h) and post-reaction characterization (XRD, XPS) are necessary to confirm structural integrity and assess any performance decay.
How does the performance of BSCN compare to state-of-the-art g-C3N4-based photocatalysts in terms of apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) at specific wavelengths?
The paper does not provide AQE values. To benchmark against literature, AQE measurements at 420 nm and other key wavelengths are essential. The reported H2 evolution rate of 14.409 mmol g−1 h−1 is impressive, but AQE would offer a more direct comparison of photon utilization efficiency.
What is the scalability potential of the synthesis method for industrial production, considering the use of boron and sulfur precursors and the thermal polymerization conditions?
The synthesis likely involves thermal polymerization of precursors like melamine or urea with boron and sulfur sources. This method is generally scalable, but factors such as precursor cost, yield, and uniformity need assessment. The paper does not detail the synthesis scale or cost analysis, which are critical for commercial viability.
What is the exact role of the S-scheme heterojunction in enhancing charge separation, and how does it compare to Type-II or Z-scheme mechanisms in terms of redox potential preservation?
The S-scheme mechanism, as confirmed by in situ XPS and DFT, involves a built-in electric field at the BCN/SCN interface that drives photogenerated electrons from SCN to BCN, while holes remain in SCN. This preserves the strong reduction potential of BCN and oxidation potential of SCN, unlike Type-II which often sacrifices redox ability. The near-thermoneutral ΔGH* (0.12 eV) at S sites further enhances HER kinetics.
What is the cost comparison of BSCN against conventional Pt-loaded g-C3N4 photocatalysts, considering the elimination of noble metals?
The BSCN catalyst is free of noble metals, significantly reducing material costs. Pt-loaded g-C3N4 typically requires 1-3 wt% Pt, which is expensive. The 75-fold enhancement over BCN and 3.4-fold over SCN suggests that BSCN could achieve comparable or superior performance at a fraction of the cost, making it economically attractive for large-scale H2 production.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.