Incorporation of Nonmetal Group Dopants into g-C3N4 Framework for Highly Improved Photocatalytic H2 Production

The incorporation of nonmetal group dopants into a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) framework is fabricated by adding a small amount of hexamethylenetetramine during the thermal polymerization process. The material shows an excellent visible-light photocatalytic H2production performance that is eight times higher than bulk g-C3N4. This outstanding performance is ascribed to the introducing of N-doped carbon, which not only enhances the light absorption and favorsa narrower band gap, but also upshifts the conductionband (CB) potential, resulting in a better reduction ability of electrons. This discovery has potential significancefor the designing of high performance, economic, and environmental friendly photocatalyst for solar energy conversion.Keywords:g-C3N4;nonmetal group dopants;photocatalytic hydrogen production;semiconductors;energy storage and conversion