A latest overview on photocatalytic application of g-C3N4 based nanostructured materials for hydrogen production

Photocatalytic H₂ production is a hopeful technology to solving the environment problems and global energy. Consequently, it is essential to develop high efficient, nonprecious and stable photocatalysts. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was fascinated much concentration owed to this metal free n-type semiconductor possesses appropriate bandgap, unique two dimensional (2D) layered structures, low toxicity, high thermal and chemical stability, lowcost, facile preparation and visible light response. Moreover, the g-C₃N₄ composites are having huge promise on photocatalytic H₂ production but, the efficiency of pure g-C₃N₄ is at present limited by its poor visible light absorption and suffers from high recombination rate of g-C₃N₄ photogenerated electron/hole pairs resulting in low photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the g-C₃N₄ has unique electronic structure, therefore renowned candidates have been coupled with different functional components to improve photocatalytic activity. In this contribution, we review the recent research progresses of transition metals, non metals, noble metals, semiconductor compounds, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon dots and quantum dots, supported on g-C₃N₄ nanosheets, which were applied to photocatalytic H₂ production. In addition, different techniques used to synthesis the g-C₃N₄ based photocatalyst including with their corresponding examples have been described. We hope that this review will encourage the readers to extend the applications of g-C₃N₄ based heterostructure in the field of H₂ production in a green manner.