Directional electron delivery via a vertical channel between g-C3N4 layers promotes photocatalytic efficiency

Abstract

Suffering from inefficient charge separation and random charge transfer between its planes, the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C₃N₄ is still unsatisfactory. Herein, this challenging issue is tackled via intercalating alkalis into the interlayer space in g-C₃N₄ to create a vertical channel between the layers for directional electron delivery, which is a novel strategy to effectively quench charge recombination and promote electron transfer. Using a close combination of theoretical and experimental methods, the alkalis intercalated in g-C₃N₄ have been designed and fabricated. The alkali species could suppress random charge transfer between the planes of g-C₃N₄ and enable the electrons to directionally migrate between adjacent layers in a one-way transmission manner. In an unprecedented result, the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C₃N₄ is significantly improved by 115.0% via alkali intercalation and it is also stable for recycled usage. This work could provide a feasible protocol for the modification of a wide range of 2D materials, and shed new light on the understanding of photocatalytic mechanisms.