Porous Graphitic Carbon Nitride Synthesized via Using Carbon Nanotube as a Novel Recyclable Hard Template for Efficient Visible Light Photocatalytic Organic Pollutant Degradation

Abstract

AbstractTwo‐dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has attracted considerable attention due to its many intriguing properties in visible light photocatalysis. However, the photocatalytic performance of g‐C3N4 is far from satisfaction partly because standard synthesis methods prepare rather dense materials with low specific surface area. Herein, we report a facile approach to prepare porous g‐C3N4 via using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as a novel hard template for the first time. Unlike other hard templates, CNT can be easily removed by ultrasonic method and recycled to produce porous g‐C3N4. The as‐prepared porous g‐C3N4 has a much higher specific surface area of 103.3 m2 g−1 than the bulk g‐C3N4 of 10.5 m2 g−1. The photocatalytic organic pollutant decomposition rate of porous g‐C3N4 is nearly 4.4 times as high as that of bulk g‐C3N4 under visible light (λ > 400 nm) irradiation. This work opens a new way to explore the sustainable, environment‐friendly preparation of high‐performance g‐C3N4 for solar energy conversion and environmental remediation, especially for large‐scale applications in industry.