Recent advances in g-C3N4-based photocatalysts incorporated by MXenes and their derivatives

Abstract

As one of the fascinating visible-light-responsive photocatalysts, the two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has drawn broad attention in the field of solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. However, intrinsic drawbacks, such as insufficient surface area, slow electron transfer and unsatisfied visible-light absorption hinder its promising applications. The incorporation of 2D MXenes and their derivatives into g-C₃N₄ is recognized as an effective approach to totally enhance their performance toward advanced photocatalysts. This work starts with a discussion of the fundamental photocatalytic mechanism over g-C₃N₄-based photocatalysts incorporated with MXenes and MXene derivatives. Then, we give a comprehensive overview on the main strategies for constructing such hybrid photocatalysts with a solid 2D/2D interfacial contact. Afterward, their typical applications in environmental and energy fields, including H₂ generation, CO₂ conversion, pollutant degradation, N₂ fixation and H₂O₂ production, are discussed systematically. Finally, some concluding remarks and perspectives in this area are proposed.