Abstract
Covalently bonded carbon nitride (CN) has stimulated extensive attention as a metal-free semiconductor. However, because of the complexity of polymeric structures, the acquisition of critical roles of each molecular constituent in CN for photocatalysis remains elusive. Herein, we clarify the fundamental active units of CN in photocatalysis by synthesizing CN with more detailed molecular structures. Enabled by microwave synthesis, the as-prepared CN consists of distinguishable melem (M1) and its incomplete condensed form (M2). We disclose rather than the traditional opinion of being involved in the whole photocatalytic processes, M1 and M2 make primary contributions in light absorption and charge separation, respectively. Meanwhile, oxygen molecules are unusually observed to be activated by participating in the photoexcited processes via electronic coupling mainly to M2. As a result, such CN has a higher activity, which was up to 8 times that of traditional bulk CN for photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline in water.
Highlights
Bonded carbon nitride (CN) has stimulated extensive attention as a metal-free semiconductor
Rather than the traditional opinion of being involved in the whole photocatalytic processes, it was revealed that M1 and M2 were primarily in charge of light absorption and charge separation, respectively; the O2 substrate was effectively activated by unusually participating in the photoexcited processes via an electronic coupling
A microwave-assisted condensation using ethylene glycol (EG) as the solvent was utilized for synthesizing CN
Summary
Bonded carbon nitride (CN) has stimulated extensive attention as a metal-free semiconductor. Rather than the traditional opinion of being involved in the whole photocatalytic processes, it was revealed that M1 and M2 were primarily in charge of light absorption and charge separation, respectively; the O2 substrate was effectively activated by unusually participating in the photoexcited processes via an electronic coupling. As a result, such a configuration of CN endowed it with an exceptional high activity for photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline (TC) in water
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
