Covalently interconnected layers in g-C3N4: Toward high mechanical stability, catalytic efficiency and sustainability

Abstract

The grim prospects for the industrial utilization of g-C3N4 nanosheets arise from multi-step processing resulting in low material yields and poor visible light response due to quantum confinement. Herein, we introduce a strategy for linking the adjacent layers of g-C3N4 covalently to realize a high surface area without excess mass loss in a one-step process by introducing diethylene glycol as a precursor that produces -(CH2)2-O-(CH2)2- linkers in-situ. Their presence increases interlayer spacing and introduces surface curvatures, discouraging the stacking of a larger number of layers to produce nanosheets with ∼3 times higher surface area. Interestingly, unlike other layered materials, the linkers also provide extraordinary mechanical stability against exfoliating forces. In addition, the process instills sub-bandgap states and a considerable visible light response at 500 nm to slow down the picosecond exciton recombination dynamics, resulting in ∼5 times enhancement in H2 generation efficiency from photocatalytic water-splitting over the bulk sample.