Traditional Thermal Methods Research Articles

Cold plasma technology: does it have a place in food processing?

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for alternative food processing technologies that can improve food safety while preserving the nutritional quality of food products. Traditional thermal processing methods can lead to nutrient loss and degradation, prompting the exploration of novel approaches. Cold plasma (CP) technology, an emerging non-thermal food processing technique, has gained significant attention for its potential in the food industry. We provide herein, an introduction to CP and an overview of the technology, highlighting its potential advantages in safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness.

Triazine-Based Large-Sized Single-Crystalline Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A large-sized single crystalline 2D COFs with excellent crystallinity and stability was prepared through the traditional thermal solvent method. The electrochemical performance can be significantly enhanced using a straightforward hybrid approach that involves in situ growth of the 2D COFs on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Both the advantages of COFs and CNTs are mutually enhanced. The single-crystalline feature of the obtained COFs improves the structural integrity and brings excellent chemical and electrochemical stabilities for lithium-ion battery applications. The resultant COF-CNT core-shell hybrids greatly improved the conductivity and demonstrated excellent lithium-ion storage performance with a high capacity of 228 mAh g-1 (0.2 A g-1).

Triazine‐Based Large‐Sized Single‐Crystalline Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractA large‐sized single crystalline 2D COFs with excellent crystallinity and stability was prepared through the traditional thermal solvent method. The electrochemical performance can be significantly enhanced using a straightforward hybrid approach that involves in situ growth of the 2D COFs on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Both the advantages of COFs and CNTs are mutually enhanced. The single‐crystalline feature of the obtained COFs improves the structural integrity and brings excellent chemical and electrochemical stabilities for lithium‐ion battery applications. The resultant COF‐CNT core–shell hybrids greatly improved the conductivity and demonstrated excellent lithium‐ion storage performance with a high capacity of 228 mAh g−1 (0.2 A g−1).

Boosting HER performance by using plasma prepared N-doped CNTs to support Pt nanoparticles

Developing highly-efficient and stable Pt-based catalysts towards alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) offers a promising strategy for future renewable energy. In this work, radio-frequency (RF) cold plasma-prepared N-doped MWCNTs were adopted to support Pt nanoparticles (NPs) (Pt/NCNTs) via pretreating MWCNTs with RF nitrogen plasma and combining with traditional thermal reduction method. The as-synthesized Pt/NCNT featured an ultra-small size of Pt NPs (1.5 nm) and plentiful doped nitrogen, exhibiting ultra-low overpotential of 28 mV@10 mA cm−2 and ultra-high mass activity of 3.2 A mg Pt−1@100 mA in 1 M KOH solution, which are superior to those of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. This is because RF plasma can realize fast, high-efficient and specific N-doping structure of MWCNTs. The lone electron pairs of N species (mainly pyri-N and pyrr-N) on MWCNTs surface transfer to the empty orbitals of Pt NPs, forming a strong coordination effect between Pt and nitrogen, thereby boosting the alkaline HER catalytic performance.

Research on faradic capacitive deionization regeneration method for absorption air conditioning system

The development of renewable energy driven air conditioning system is of importance for curbing the CO2 emission. Absorption air conditioning systems could be a good choice but for its low regeneration efficiency. Capacitive deionization (CDI) regeneration method has been proposed to improve the efficiency of absorption system by eliminating the energy waste in the traditional thermal regeneration method. The core part of CDI is the electrode normally made from porous carbon materials, which often suffers from low charge storage capacity and co-ion repulsion. On the purpose of performance optimization, this paper proposes a hybrid deionization (HCDI) regeneration method by fabricating the electrode from Faraday materials. Experimental research has been made on the regeneration capacity of the prepared electrodes. Investigation has been conducted on the performance of the HCDI method based absorption system. The influence of different parameters has been revealed. Compared with the porous carbon electrode, the Faraday electrode has raised the charge efficiency by 20%, and raised both the regeneration capacity and overall performance by 40%. Under optimized working conditions, the COP of the HCDI based absorption system has reached 3.51 in the experiments, which shows great potential for future application.

Application of indoor thermal energy cycle and visual communication simulation scene based on Machine vision and optical image enhancement

Traditional thermal analysis methods have limitations in complex environments, and innovative technologies are urgently needed to improve the accuracy of indoor thermal monitoring and optimization. In this paper, machine vision and optical image enhancement technology are combined to simulate the indoor heat energy cycle process to achieve more efficient heat management and visual communication, so as to improve the energy utilization efficiency and residential comfort of buildings. In this paper, a high-resolution camera is used to capture real-time images of indoor environment, image quality is enhanced by image processing algorithm, and heat distribution characteristics are extracted. The machine learning model is used to analyze the dynamic changes of the thermal energy cycle, and the visual model of the indoor thermal energy cycle is constructed by combining the fluid dynamics theory. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively identify and display the key areas of indoor heat circulation and their changing trends. The simulation results show that the optical enhanced images can show different temperature regions more clearly, directly reflect the heat flow situation, and have a high agreement with the actual measurement data. Therefore, the indoor thermal energy cycle simulation method based on machine vision and optical image enhancement not only improves the accuracy and real-time performance of thermal energy analysis, but also provides visual support for indoor environmental management.

Application and optimization of residual connection neural network in spacecraft thermal design

In thermal analysis modeling, the finite element method (FEM) is commonly used; however, it incurs high computational costs and complicates the global optimization of thermal parameters. To address these challenges, developing simplified surrogate models is crucial for enhancing analysis efficiency. Yet, constructing such models demands exceptional predictive accuracy, making conventional parameter adjustment methods inadequate for design needs. This paper introduces a novel Residual connection Neural Network model, called Res-NN, designed to approximate the CMOS finite element model. By employing residual connections, the Res-NN model significantly reduces fitting errors between networks, achieving a predictive accuracy of 94.6 %, which is 6.6 % higher than that of comparable Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) models. Moreover, Res-NN is over 100 times faster than traditional FEM in prediction speed, effectively circumventing the difficulties associated with parameter adjustments. To optimize the temperature fluctuations of the CMOS model, we utilized the Res-NN model as an iterative object within an optimization algorithm. Through experimental comparisons, we identified the PSO algorithm as the most effective option. The PSO optimization results demonstrated a chip temperature difference of 0.045 °C, with a simulation error of only 0.0649 °C, meeting design specifications and achieving a 61.7 % reduction in temperature variance compared to traditional thermal design method. This validates the superiority of the entire optimization process.

The impact of κ-carrageenan on the pea protein gelation by high pressure processing and the gelling mechanisms study

The transition toward sustainable and health-conscious diets has intensified plant-based proteins, particularly pea protein. This research explored the gelation mechanisms of pea protein with κ-carrageenan by high-pressure processing (HPP) as an alternative to traditional thermal methods. Suspensions containing 15% pea protein with 0.1–1% κ-carrageenan were subjected to HPP at 100–600 MPa for 5–30 min. Increasing κ-carrageenan concentration reduced the pressure required to obtain good gels, rendering HPP more energy efficient. Pea protein gels with 1% κ-carrageenan at 600 MPa demonstrated a 27-fold increase in compressive strength compared to 15% pea protein alone by HPP and over 5 times the strength of heat-induced counterparts. Gel textures could be tailored by modulating HPP conditions and κ-carrageenan concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy characterized protein unfolding, phase separation, and network formation to study the gelation mechanisms. Results revealed that HPP induced protein tertiary structure unfolding, facilitating phase separation and uniform submicron κ-carrageenan particle distribution in the protein matrix. This, along with a more compact protein network induced by HPP, enhanced gel strength, compensating for limited cysteine in pea protein for disulfide bonds. Higher pressures intensified protein unfolding and aggregation, with κ-carrageenan particles evenly distributing into smaller particles, further strengthening gel structures. Conversely, heating-induced gelation caused more random protein aggregation, leading to coarser and weaker gel networks. This research highlights HPP's effectiveness over traditional heating methods in preparing strong pea protein gels with minimal κ-carrageenan and provides preliminary insights into tailoring HPP and κ-carrageenan for desirable gel textures.

Advancements in Non-Thermal Processing Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Quality of Infant and Baby Food Products: A Review.

Breast milk is the main source of nutrition during early life, but both infant formulas (Ifs; up to 12 months) and baby foods (BFs; up to 3 years) are also important for providing essential nutrients. The infant food industry rigorously controls for potential physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Although thermal treatments are commonly used to ensure food safety in IFs and BFs, they can negatively affect sensory qualities, reduce thermosensitive nutrients, and lead to chemical contaminant formation. To address these challenges, non-thermal processing technologies such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, radio frequency, and ultrasound offer efficient pathogen destruction similar to traditional thermal methods, while reducing the production of key process-induced toxicants such as furan and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF). These alternative thermal processes aim to overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods while retaining their advantages. This review paper highlights the growing global demand for healthy, sustainable foods, driving food manufacturers to adopt innovative and efficient processing techniques for both IFs and BFs. Based on various studies reviewed for this work, the application of these novel technologies appears to reduce thermal processing intensity, resulting in products with enhanced sensory properties, comparable shelf life, and improved visual appeal compared to conventionally processed products.

Crystallographic/Morphological Changes and Performance of Lithium Iron Phosphate Deposited By Vacuum Cold Spray

Cold spray offers several advantages for material deposition, including the ability to deposit a wide range of materials without the need for high temperatures, minimizing heat-related distortion and maintaining material properties. Additionally, cold spray is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly process, as it reduces waste and energy consumption compared to traditional thermal spray methods. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) has been gaining popularity as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its stable cycling performance, lack of oxygen generation, thermal stability, and use of environmentally friendly iron over nickel or cobalt. In this study, LFP was deposited by vacuum cold spray onto aluminum foil substrate to investigate the viability of cold spray as a possible method of manufacturing all-solid-state batteries. Results were obtained through in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochemical results were obtained by assembling cold spray deposited LFP into half-cells with Li-metal anode and liquid electrolyte before being tested on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and C-Rate. Due to the high impact velocities during cold spray, crystalline LFP was observed to undergo changes to an amorphous phase. Using in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the crystallographic and morphological changes to cold spray deposited LFP were investigated across various temperatures. In-situ XRD initially showed a decrease in crystallinity with crystallinity being restored with elevated temperatures, with in-situ TEM further supporting these findings. Investigation with SEM showed LFP particles undergo deformation upon impact with a mix of intact particles interspersed throughout to create a dense layer. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of assembled half-cells show low resistance of 90Ω with further reduction to 60Ω upon cycling of the cell. In terms of cycling performance, initial discharge capacities showed 80 mAh/g and 20mAh/g at 0.1C and 1C respectively. These capacities dropped further with repeated cycling. Future work will be focused on improving capacity, annealing post deposition to restore crystallinity, and incorporation of solid electrolyte.

Performance Enhancement of Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 Anode through Introduction of Tantalum-Titanium Interlayer via Double-Glow Plasma Surface Alloying Technology.

Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrodes are extensively utilized in the electrochemical industries such as copper foil production, cathodic protection, and wastewater treatment. However, their performance degrades rapidly under high current densities and severe oxygen evolution conditions. To address this issue, we have developed a composite anode of Ti/Ta-Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 with a Ta-Ti alloy interlayer deposited on a Ti substrate by double-glow plasma surface alloying, and the IrO2-Ta2O5 surface coating prepared by the traditional thermal decomposition method. This investigation indicates that the electrode with Ta-Ti alloy interlayer reduces the agglomerates of precipitated IrO2 nanoparticles and refines the grain size of IrO2, thereby increasing the number of active sites and enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. Accelerated lifetime tests demonstrate that the Ti/Ta-Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrode exhibits a much higher stability than the Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrode. The significant improvement in electrochemical stability is attributed to the Ta-Ti interlayer, which offers high corrosion resistance and effective protection for the titanium substrate.

Innovations in Solar-Powered Desalination: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Solutions for Water Scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

Water scarcity poses significant challenges in arid regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) due to constant population growth, considering the effects of climate change and water management aspects. The desalination technologies face problems like high energy consumption, high investment costs, and significant environmental impacts by brine discharge. This paper researches the relationships among water scarcity, energy-intensive desalination, and the development of renewable energy in MENA, with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It examines innovations in solar-powered desalination, considering both solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies, in combination with traditional thermal desalination methods such as multi-effect distillation (MED) and multi-stage flash (MSF). The environmental impacts associated with desalination by brine discharge are also discussed, analyzing innovative technological solutions and avoidance strategies. Utilizing bibliometrics, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature for the assessment of the research landscape in order to recognize trends in desalination technologies in the MENA region, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and research priorities. Despite challenges such as high initial investment costs, technical complexities, and limited funding for research and development, the convergence of water scarcity and renewable energy presents significant opportunities for integrated desalination systems in GCC countries. Summarizing, this paper emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and international collaboration by addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and energy sustainability in the MENA region. By leveraging renewable energy sources and advancing desalination technologies, the region can achieve water security while mitigating environmental impacts and promoting economic development.

Research on environmentally friendly regeneration of adsorbents for SF6 gas-insulated equipment based on dielectric barrier discharge

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) technology in regenerating adsorbents from decommissioned SF6 equipment, aiming to provide an efficient method for such treatments. The experimental platform constructed for this purpose explores the impact of power supply frequency, input power, carrier gas flow rate, and treatment time on the regeneration performance. The adsorbent's optimal treatment outcomes were observed at the center frequency, showcasing rapid changes in regeneration rate and pH. Furthermore, increasing the carrier gas flow rate enhanced the regeneration rate, with the fastest recovery observed at 0.6 L/min, given constant power conditions. Characterization analyses using XPS, FTIR, XRD, and N2 adsorption-desorption tests indicated a reduction in F and S element compounds, confirming the efficacy of DBD. When compared to traditional thermal regeneration methods, DBD technology offers a more effective and structure-preserving solution for treating adsorbents from decommissioned SF6 equipment.

The potential of pulsed electromagnetic field-generated shock waves for reducing microbial load and improving homogenization in raw milk

Milk is a highly nutritious food essential for human consumption. However, traditional thermal processing methods can reduce its nutritional value and cause unwanted changes. The use of shock waves produced by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) has been explored as a means to reduce pathogenic microorganisms. The effect of shock wave treatment on microbial load and particle distribution in packaged fresh cow's milk was investigated. Additionally, the impact of shock wave treatment on Salmonella enterica counts in a bacterial suspension of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was evaluated, as this bacterium is a significant milkborne pathogen. Treatment with 1000 impulses from an electromagnetic shock wave generator resulted in a 0.7-log reduction in the total bacterial count of milk. In a separate experiment, a 300-impulse shock wave treatment applied to a Salmonella enterica suspension achieved a 3-log reduction in bacterial counts. Furthermore, shock wave treatment resulted in a decrease in milk particle size compared to untreated milk. Notably, the volume of milk used in this study aligns with commercially available packaged products, enhancing the experiment's industrial relevance. The use of PEMF to generate shock waves could provide a novel approach for future studies focused on reducing the microbial load of milk and improving its homogenization.

Pulsed Field Energy in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: From Physical Principles to Clinical Applications.

Atrial fibrillation, representing the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, significantly impacts stroke risk and cardiovascular mortality. Historically managed with antiarrhythmic drugs with limited efficacy, and more recently, catheter ablation, the interventional approach field is still evolving with technological advances. This review highlights pulsed field ablation (PFA), a revolutionary technique gaining prominence in interventional electrophysiology because of its efficacy and safety. PFA employs non-thermal electric fields to create irreversible electroporation, disrupting cell membranes selectively within myocardial tissue, thus preventing the non-selective damage associated with traditional thermal ablation methods like radiofrequency or cryoablation. Clinical studies have consistently shown PFA's ability to achieve pulmonary vein isolation-a cornerstone of AF treatment-rapidly and with minimal complications. Notably, PFA reduces procedure times and has shown a lower incidence of esophageal and phrenic nerve damage, two common concerns with thermal techniques. Emerging from oncological applications, the principles of electroporation provide a unique tissue-selective ablation method that minimizes collateral damage. This review synthesizes findings from foundational animal studies through to recent clinical trials, such as the MANIFEST-PF and ADVENT trials, demonstrating PFA's effectiveness and safety. Future perspectives point towards expanding indications and refinement of techniques that promise to improve AF management outcomes further. PFA represents a paradigm shift in AF ablation, offering a safer, faster, and equally effective alternative to conventional methods. This synthesis of its development and clinical application outlines its potential to become the new standard in AF treatment protocols.

Characterisation, activation, and reactivity of heterogenous natural clays

Although thermal and mechanochemical activations of natural clays are well-documented, there exists a dual research gap. Firstly, a thorough investigation into the interrelationship between these activation methods and the governing parameters of reactivity for various clays has been notably lacking. Secondly, there is a distinct scarcity of studies specifically focusing on heterogeneous clays compared to the extensive research dedicated to single-layer clays specially kaolinitic clays. This study investigates the correlation of activation methods, and changes in the clay mineralogy, particle size distributions, morphology, specific surface area, and the reactivity of heterogeneous clays. Traditional thermal and mechanochemical activation methods often fall short in achieving complete dehydroxylation of heterogeneous clay minerals and improving their reactivity beyond predefined low thresholds. The results in this paper emphasize that, despite these limitations, combining these activation methods brings about significant modifications in crucial parameters. Notably, integrating 20 min of mechanochemical activation at 500 rpm with prior thermal treatment leads to 158% increase in specific surface area compared to mechanochemical activation conducted on un-calcined clays. Simultaneously, these combined activations result in up to 127% improvement in reactivity levels of heterogenous clays compared to standalone mechanochemical activation. The results underscore that, even with the advancements brought about by combined activations, the presence of impurities like iron oxides and calcite remains a noteworthy factor influencing the reactivity of kaolinitic natural clays. The study concludes by highlighting the potential of combined treatments to enhance the pozzolanicity of low-reactive heterogeneous clays, unlocking avenues for future clinker supplementation with this abundant resource.

A Temperature Prediction Model for Flexible Electronic Devices Based on GA-BP Neural Network and Experimental Verification.

The problem that the thermal safety of flexible electronic devices is difficult to evaluate in real time is addressed in this study by establishing a BP neural network (GA-BPNN) temperature prediction model based on genetic algorithm optimisation. The model uses a BP neural network to fit the functional relationship between the input condition and the steady-state temperature of the equipment and uses a genetic algorithm to optimise the parameter initialisation problem of the BP neural network. To overcome the challenge of the high cost of obtaining experimental data, finite element analysis software is used to simulate the temperature results of the equipment under different working conditions. The prediction variance of the GA-BPNN model does not exceed 0.57 °C and has good robustness, as the model is trained according to the simulation data. The study conducted thermal validation experiments on the temperature prediction model for this flexible electronic device. The device reached steady state after 1200 s of operation at rated power. The error between the predicted and experimental results was less than 0.9 °C, verifying the validity of the model's predictions. Compared with traditional thermal simulation and experimental methods, this model can quickly predict the temperature with a certain accuracy and has outstanding advantages in computational efficiency and integrated application of hardware and software.

Optimizing Quality and Shelf-Life Extension of Bor-Thekera (Garcinia pedunculata) Juice: A Thermosonication Approach with Artificial Neural Network Modeling

This study investigated the quality characteristics of pasteurized and thermosonicated bor-thekera (Garcinia pedunculata) juices (TSBTJs) during storage at 4 °C for 30 days. Various parameters, including pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble content (TSSs), antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ascorbic acid content (AAC), cloudiness (CI) and browning indexes (BI), and microbial activity, were analyzed at regular intervals and compared with the quality parameters of fresh bor-thekera juice (FBTJ). A multi-layer artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to model and optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction of bor-thekera juice. The impacts of storage time, treatment time, and treatment temperature on the quality attributes were also explored. The TSBTJ demonstrated the maximum retention of nutritional attributes compared with the pasteurized bor-thekera juice (PBTJ). Additionally, the TSBTJ exhibited satisfactory results for microbiological activity, while the PBTJ showed the highest level of microbial inactivation. The designed ANN exhibited low mean squared error values and high R2 values for the training, testing, validation, and overall datasets, indicating a strong relationship between the actual and predicted results. The optimal extraction parameters generated by the ANN included a treatment time of 30 min, a frequency of 44 kHz, and a temperature of 40 °C. In conclusion, thermosonicated juices, particularly the TSBTJ, demonstrated enhanced nutritional characteristics, positioning them as valuable reservoirs of bioactive components suitable for incorporation in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The study underscores the efficacy of ANN as a predictive tool for assessing bor-thekera juice extraction efficiency. Moreover, the use of thermosonication emerged as a promising alternative to traditional thermal pasteurization methods for bor-thekera juice preservation, mitigating quality deterioration while augmenting the functional attributes of the juice.

Effect of Ohmic Heating on Food Products: An In-Depth Review Approach Associated with Quality Attributes

Nowadays, the market is full of lists of products produced by way of vivid processing, blended formulation, and other novel formulation practices. In a similar vein, ohmic heating (OH) has proven to be a successful replacement for traditional procedures. Although the microbial burden is substantially reduced, the aforementioned method also controls the sensory and functional qualities of meals. OH is regarded as a thermal treatment option that is less damaging to food constituents in comparison to traditional thermal methods. The said processing method retains vivid food constituents that are widely acknowledged under the significant nutritional and functional category, hence addressing healthy longevity. Furthermore, OH is the least severe category of thermal operation in competition with the most technologically advanced food processing operations. The current study emphasizes the crucial relevance of knowing the effects of OH on food ingredients, which will serve as a basis for optimizing this novel approach for a wide range of food products. The effects of OH on quality characteristics such as color, flavor, and texture are thoroughly investigated, offering vital insights into OH’s capacity to maintain and enhance the sensory aspects of food items. Furthermore, the study looks at the effect of OH on nutritional contents, emphasizing the need to strike a careful balance between ensuring microbiological safety and retaining the nutritional integrity of treated foods. This literature survey closely examines the impact of OH on microorganisms, enzymes, color, and rheological and textural attributes of food, along with the deterioration of diverse bioactive substances, including phenolics and carotenoids, as well as vitamins. Besides, the paper explains the effect of the inactivation mechanism of microorganisms. The findings serve as a platform for future research and development, as well as a road map for the effective deployment and commercialization of OH technology in a variety of food industries.

Thermal reflux to synthesise C3N4 nanostructures with high yield and enhanced photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is an attractive photocatalyst and a thermal reflux method was used to significantly increase the yield of g-C3N4 nanostructures and enhance their photocatalytic activity for H2 production. When raw material was placed in an inclined quartz tube with the bottom in the high temperature zone and the top in the low temperature zone, the vapor of the raw material was condensed from the top and refluxed to the bottom to then participate in the reaction again. This method can significantly improve the yield of g-C3N4 with an increase of 28.2%. When used as the photocatalyst in water splitting, these g-C3N4 nanostructures exhibit excellent activity with an H2 production of 2102 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible irradiation, which is 43.2% higher than the sample prepared by a traditional thermal polymerization method. This method is also promising to use for the synthesis of similar two-dimensional nanostructures for effective H2 production.