Author
Zilin Ni
Other affiliations: Chongqing Normal University
Bio: Zilin Ni is an academic researcher from Chongqing Technology and Business University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photocatalysis & Heterojunction. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 8 publications receiving 1313 citations. Previous affiliations of Zilin Ni include Chongqing Normal University.
Papers
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TL;DR: It is demonstrated that rational design and construction of isotype heterojunction could open up a new avenue for the development of new efficient visible-light photocatalysts and the removal of NO in air.
Abstract: The photocatalytic performance of the star photocatalyst g-C3N4 was restricted by the low efficiency because of the fast charge recombination. The present work developed a facile in situ method to construct g-C3N4/g-C3N4 metal-free isotype heterojunction with molecular composite precursors with the aim to greatly promote the charge separation. Considering the fact that g-C3N4 samples prepared from urea and thiourea separately have different band structure, the molecular composite precursors of urea and thiourea were treated simultaneously under the same thermal conditions, in situ creating a novel layered g-C3N4/g-C3N4 metal-free heterojunction (g-g CN heterojunction). This synthesis method is facile, economic, and environmentally benign using easily available earth-abundant green precursors. The confirmation of isotype g-g CN heterojunction was based on XRD, HRTEM, valence band XPS, ns-level PL, photocurrent, and EIS measurement. Upon visible-light irradiation, the photogenerated electrons transfer from ...
1,024 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a detailed description of the strategies to fabricate various BOC micro/nano structures is given, and the mechanisms of photocatalytic activity enhancement are elaborated in three parts, including BOC-based nanocomposites, nonmetal doping and formation of oxygen vacancy.
140 citations
TL;DR: In order to overcome the intrinsic drawback of pristine g-C 3 N 4, the authors in this article presented an Ag nanoparticles decoration using urea as the precursor, which not only enhanced the photocatalytic activity but also benefited the oxidation of NO to final products.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new strategy of O/La co-functionalization in amorphous carbon nitride (C N-O La), leading to the formation of electronic channels for directional electron delivery in the interlayers, the generation of localized electrons for enhanced reactants activation and thus highly boosted photocatalytic performance for NO removal.
Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is an intriguing and rising visible light photocatalyst. However, g-C3N4 still suffers from random charge carriers transfer in planes and low efficiency in reactants activation, which leads to unsatisfactory photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, these formidable challenges are addressed via a new strategy of O/La co-functionalization in amorphous carbon nitride (C N-O La), leading to the formation of electronic channels for directional electron delivery in the interlayers, the generation of localized electrons for enhanced reactants activation and thus highly boosted photocatalytic performance for NO removal. With a closely combined experimental and theoretical approach, we have revealed that the breakage of in-plane hydrogen bonds between strands of polymeric melon units with CO32− could promote the amorphization of g-C3N4 and increase the visible light absorption ability. A directional electron delivery pathway (L2 → La → L1→ O) is proposed based on results of charge difference distribution and experimental observation. The electron localization could directly activate the O2 and NO molecules and dramatically promote the production of activated species (e.g. O2- and OH radicals) and thus enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency. With the optimized electronic structure, the photocatalytic NO removal ratio of C N-O La is significantly increased from 35.8% of pristine g-C3N4 to 50.4% and it is stable for recycled runs. The in situ FT-IR spectra, in combination with ESR spectra and DFT calculations, unravel the conversion pathway of photocatalytic NO oxidation on C N-O La where some important reaction intermediates are discovered. This work could provide a fascinating modification strategy for carbon nitride and new insights into mechanistic understanding of 2D layered photocatalysts.
95 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the photocatalytic performance of C3N4-Pd is demonstrated from both oxidability and reducibility aspects, which could provide new perspectives in the design of noble metal modified photocATalysts for different photocatalysis redox reactions.
94 citations
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TL;DR: It is anticipated that this review can stimulate a new research doorway to facilitate the next generation of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts with ameliorated performances by harnessing the outstanding structural, electronic, and optical properties for the development of a sustainable future without environmental detriment.
Abstract: As a fascinating conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has become a new research hotspot and drawn broad interdisciplinary attention as a metal-free and visible-light-responsive photocatalyst in the arena of solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. This is due to its appealing electronic band structure, high physicochemical stability, and “earth-abundant” nature. This critical review summarizes a panorama of the latest progress related to the design and construction of pristine g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-based nanocomposites, including (1) nanoarchitecture design of bare g-C3N4, such as hard and soft templating approaches, supramolecular preorganization assembly, exfoliation, and template-free synthesis routes, (2) functionalization of g-C3N4 at an atomic level (elemental doping) and molecular level (copolymerization), and (3) modification of g-C3N4 with well-matched energy levels of another semiconductor or a metal as a cocatalyst to form heterojunction nanostructures. The constructi...
5,054 citations
TL;DR: The photo-catalytic applications of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts in the fields of water splitting, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, organic syntheses, and bacterial disinfection are reviewed, with emphasis on photocatalysis promoted by carbon materials, non-noble-metal coc atalysts, and Z-scheme heterojunctions.
Abstract: Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is considered to be an attractive way for solving the worldwide energy shortage and environmental pollution issues. Since the pioneering work in 2009 on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for visible-light photocatalytic water splitting, g-C3N4 -based photocatalysis has become a very hot research topic. This review summarizes the recent progress regarding the design and preparation of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts, including the fabrication and nanostructure design of pristine g-C3N4 , bandgap engineering through atomic-level doping and molecular-level modification, and the preparation of g-C3N4 -based semiconductor composites. Also, the photo-catalytic applications of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts in the fields of water splitting, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, organic syntheses, and bacterial disinfection are reviewed, with emphasis on photocatalysis promoted by carbon materials, non-noble-metal cocatalysts, and Z-scheme heterojunctions. Finally, the concluding remarks are presented and some perspectives regarding the future development of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts are highlighted.
2,868 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the fundamental mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis, advantages, challenges and the design considerations of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts are summarized, including their crystal structural, surface phisicochemical, stability, optical, adsorption, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and electronic properties.
2,132 citations
TL;DR: A facile synthetic strategy for nitrogen-deficient graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 Nx) is established, involving a simple alkali-assisted thermal polymerization of urea, melamine, or thiourea, with superior visible-light photocatalytic performance compared to pristine g-C2 N4.
Abstract: A facile synthetic strategy for nitrogen-deficient graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 Nx ) is established, involving a simple alkali-assisted thermal polymerization of urea, melamine, or thiourea. In situ introduced nitrogen vacancies significantly redshift the absorption edge of g-C3 Nx , with the defect concentration depending on the alkali to nitrogen precursor ratio. The g-C3 Nx products show superior visible-light photocatalytic performance compared to pristine g-C3 N4 .
1,535 citations
TL;DR: The enhanced performance of g-C(3)N(4)-based nanocomposites has been widely employed in environmental and energetic applications such as photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, photoc atalytic hydrogen generation, carbon dioxide reduction, disinfection, and supercapacitors.
Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as an intriguing earth-abundant visible light photocatalyst, possesses a unique two-dimensional structure, excellent chemical stability and tunable electronic structure. Pure g-C3N4 suffers from rapid recombination of photo-generated electron–hole pairs resulting in low photocatalytic activity. Because of the unique electronic structure, the g-C3N4 could act as an eminent candidate for coupling with various functional materials to enhance the performance. According to the discrepancies in the photocatalytic mechanism and process, six primary systems of g-C3N4-based nanocomposites can be classified and summarized: namely, the g-C3N4 based metal-free heterojunction, the g-C3N4/single metal oxide (metal sulfide) heterojunction, g-C3N4/composite oxide, the g-C3N4/halide heterojunction, g-C3N4/noble metal heterostructures, and the g-C3N4 based complex system. Apart from the depiction of the fabrication methods, heterojunction structure and multifunctional application of the g-C3N4-based nanocomposites, we emphasize and elaborate on the underlying mechanisms in the photocatalytic activity enhancement of g-C3N4-based nanocomposites. The unique functions of the p–n junction (semiconductor/semiconductor heterostructures), the Schottky junction (metal/semiconductor heterostructures), the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, photosensitization, superconductivity, etc. are utilized in the photocatalytic processes. Furthermore, the enhanced performance of g-C3N4-based nanocomposites has been widely employed in environmental and energetic applications such as photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, photocatalytic hydrogen generation, carbon dioxide reduction, disinfection, and supercapacitors. This critical review ends with a summary and some perspectives on the challenges and new directions in exploring g-C3N4-based advanced nanomaterials.
1,382 citations