Simultaneous manipulation of scalable absorbance and the electronic bridge for efficient CO2 photoreduction

Abstract

Highly active, low-cost, and stable photocatalysts are the key point for the development of photocatalysis technology, which is one of the most promising advanced approaches to a greener future. As a nonmetallic polymer with high performance, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has a notable effect on photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. However, the narrow light absorption limits its photocatalytic efficiency. In this work, we prepared red g-C₃N₄ with the oxygen bridge structure (CSCN) using a grinding thermal polymerization method. The oxygen bridge structure provides more active sites, broadens the light absorption range, and improves the charge separation efficiency. Benefiting from the combined above advantages, CSCN exhibited a rate of photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CO of 28.5 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹. This work proposes a way to enhance the light absorption efficiency and CO₂ reduction properties of g-C₃N₄.