Covalently interconnected layers in g-C3N4: toward high mechanical stability, catalytic efficiency and sustainability

TitleCovalently interconnected layers in g-C3N4: toward high mechanical stability, catalytic efficiency and sustainability
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsRoy, RSekhar, Mondal, S, Mishra, S, Banoo, M, Sahoo, L, Kumar, A, Vinod, CP, De, AK, Gautam, UK
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume322
Pagination122069
Date PublishedMAR
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN0926-3373
KeywordsLayer-linkers, Sustainable synthesis, Transient absorption spectroscopy, water-splitting
Abstract

The grim prospects for the industrial utilization of g-C3N4 nanosheets arise from multi-step processing resulting in low material yields and poor visible light response due to quantum confinement. Herein, we introduce a strategy for linking the adjacent layers of g-C3N4 covalently to realize a high surface area without excess mass loss in a one-step process by introducing diethylene glycol as a precursor that produces-(CH2)2-O-(CH2)2-linkers in-situ. Their presence increases interlayer spacing and introduces surface curvatures, discouraging the stacking of a larger number of layers to produce nanosheets with-3 times higher surface area. Interestingly, unlike other layered materials, the linkers also provide extraordinary mechanical stability against exfoliating forces. In addition, the process instills sub-bandgap states and a considerable visible light response at 500 nm to slow down the picosecond exciton recombination dynamics, resulting in-5 times enhancement in H2 generation efficiency from photocatalytic water-splitting over the bulk sample.

DOI10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122069
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)

24.319

Divison category: 
Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry
Database: 
Web of Science (WoS)

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