Synthesis of Porous Carbon Nitride Nanobelts for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2

Abstract

Sustainable conversion of CO2 to fuels using solar energy is highly attractive for fuel production. This work focuses on the synthesis of porous graphitic carbon nitride nanobelt catalyst (PN-g-C3N4) and its capability of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The surface area increased from 6.5 m2·g−1 (graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4) to 32.94 m2·g−1 (PN-g-C3N4). C≡N groups and vacant N2C were introduced on the surface. PN-g-C3N4 possessed higher absorbability of visible light and excellent photocatalytic activity, which was 5.7 and 6.3 times of g-C3N4 under visible light and simulated sunlight illumination, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity may be owing to the porous nanobelt structure, enhanced absorbability of visible light, and surface vacant N-sites. It is expected that PN-g-C3N4 would be a promising candidate for CO2 photocatalytic conversion.