Synthesis of Mo-doped graphitic carbon nitride catalysts and their photocatalytic activity in the reduction of CO2 with H2O

Molybdenum doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) catalysts were prepared by a simple pyrolysis method using melamine and ammonium molybdate as precursors. The characterization results indicated that the obtained Mo-doped g-C 3 N 4 catalysts had worm-like mesostructures with higher surface area. Introduction of Mo species can effectively extend the spectral response property and reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes. CO 2 photocatalytic reduction tests showed that the Mo-doped g-C 3 N 4 catalysts exhibited considerably higher activity (the highest CO and CH 4 yields of 887 and 123   μmol   g −   1 -cat., respectively, after 8   h of UV irradiation.) compared with pure g-C 3 N 4 from melamine.