Facile one step method realizing scalable production of g-C3N4 nanosheets and study of their photocatalytic H2 evolution activity

Abstract

Graphene-like g-C₃N₄ nanosheets show great potential application in varied fields owing to their unique electronic and optical properties. However, most of the developed methods for preparing g-C₃N₄ nanosheets still suffer from low-yield and time-consuming shortcomings, which considerably hamper their further study and application. Herein, a facile dicyandiamide-blowing method with NH₄Cl as the gas template for the synergic achievement of large-quantity and high-quality graphene-like g-C₃N₄ nanosheets has been reported. The g-C₃N₄ nanosheets prepared by this one step method possess enhanced specific area surface, improved electron transport ability and increased lifetime of photoexcited charge carriers, revealing enhanced photocatalytic H₂ activities than that of bulk g-C₃N₄. Our work represents a significant progress for the scalable fabrication of high quality 2D g-C₃N₄ and provides a new pathway for the scalable production of other 2D nanomaterials.