Is g-C3N4 more suitable for photocatalytic reduction or oxidation in environmental applications?
Qiaohong Zhu, Jinlong Zhang
Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as an efficient semiconductor photocatalyst with an excellent tunable bandgap, a high physicochemical stability and a proper optical performance, has shown its non-negligible potential in multifarious photocatalytic reactions, such as hydrogen (H2) evolution, carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, pollutants degradation and so on. However, considering the solar light transfer efficiency, the accurate reaction mechanisms as well as the limitations of various reactions, is g-C3N4 more suitable for reduction or oxidation reactions? In this perspective, we think g-C3N4 might be more suitable for photocatalytic reduction reactions since the performances of single oxidation reactions maybe not ideal and sometimes the electrons are still essential during such a process.