The low quantum yield of photocatalytic hydrogen production in carbon nitride (CN) has been improved upon via the modulation of both the extrinsic and intrinsic properties of the material. Although the modification of extrinsic properties has been widely investigated in the past, recently there has been growing interest in the alteration of intrinsic properties. Refining the intrinsic properties of CN provides flexibility in controlling the charge transport and selectivity in photoredox reactions, and therefore makes available a pathway toward superior photocatalytic performance. An analysis of recent progress in tuning the intrinsic photophysical properties of CN facilitates an assessment of the goals, achievements, and gaps. This article is intended to serve this purpose. Therefore, selected techniques and mechanisms of the tuning of intrinsic properties of CN are critically discussed here. This article concludes with a recommendation of the issues that need to be considered for the further enhancement in the quantum efficiency of CN photocatalysts.
The manipulation of carbon nitride (CN) structures is one main avenue to enhance the activity of CN‐based photocatalysts. Increasing the efficiency of photocatalytic heterogeneous materials is a critical step toward the realistic implementation of sustainable schemes for organic synthesis. However, limited knowledge of the structure/activity relationship in relation to subtle structural variations prevents a fully rational design of new photocatalytic materials, limiting practical applications. Here, the CN structure is engineered by means of a microwave treatment, and the structure of the material is shaped around its suitable functionality for Ni dual photocatalysis, with a resulting boosting of the reaction efficiency toward many CX (X = N, S, O) couplings. The combination of advanced characterization techniques and first‐principle simulations reveals that this enhanced reactivity is due to the formation of carbon vacancies that evolve into triazole and imine N species able to suitably bind Ni complexes and harness highly efficient dual catalysis. The cost‐effective microwave treatment proposed here appears as a versatile and sustainable approach to the design of CN‐based photocatalysts for a wide range of industrially relevant organic synthetic reactions.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10435162
- Author(s) / Creator(s):
- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more »
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Science
- Volume:
- 10
- Issue:
- 26
- ISSN:
- 2198-3844
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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