Graphitic carbon nitride: synthesis, properties and applications in catalysis

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4, is a polymeric material consisting of C, N,and some impurity H, connected via tris-triazine-based patterns. Compared with themajority of carbon materials, it has electron-rich properties, basic surface functionalitiesand H-bonding motifs due to the presence of N and H atoms. It is thus regarded as apotential candidate to complement carbon in material applications. In this review, a briefintroduction to g-C3N4 is given, the methods used for synthesizing this material withdifferent textural structures and surface morphologies are described, and itsphysicochemical properties are referred. In addition, four aspects of the applications ofg-C3N4 in catalysis are discussed: (1) as a base metal-free catalyst for NO decomposition,(2) as a reference material in differentiating oxygen activation sites for oxidation reactionsover supported catalysts, (3) as a functional material to synthesize nanosized metalparticles, and (4) as a metal-free catalyst for photocatalysis. The reasons for the use of g-C3N4 for such applications are also given, and we expect that this paper will inspire readersto search for further new applications for this material in catalysis and in other fields.