Photochemical CO2 reduction using structurally controlled g-C3N4

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) synthesised from a urea precursor is an excellent CO₂ reduction photocatalyst using [Co(bpy)_n]²⁺ as a co-catalyst. A five-fold increase in activity for the highly polymerised urea derived g-C₃N₄ is achieved compared to alternative precursors. Transient absorption, time-resolved and steady-state emission studies indicate that the enhanced activity is related to both an increased driving force for photoelectron transfer and a greater availability of photogenerated charges.