Enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C3N4 for ciprofloxacin degradation using Tetrakis (acetonitrile) copper(I) hexafluorophosphate as a highly effective cocatalyst

Ciprofloxacin antibiotic (CP) is one of the antibiotics with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that has the highest rate of antibiotic resistance. This antibiotic undergoes incomplete metabolism within the human body and is excreted into the water, resulting in its hazardous biological and ecotoxicological effects. In this study, a novel photocatalyst, comprised of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) and Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I)hexafluorophosphate ([(CH3CN)4Cu]PF6), denoted as CuPF6/g-CN, was employed for the degradation of ciprofloxacin under visible-light irradiation. The Cu complex, functioning as a co-catalyst, assumes a crucial role in facilitating the efficient separation of photogenerated charges and exhibiting high absorption in the visible-light region. More surprisingly, CuPF6/g-CN does surpass by up to 6 times the behavior reached with bare g-CN. The experimental findings indicated that the optimal degradation of ciprofloxacin (CP) occurred after 50 min when using a concentration of 20 mg L-1 CP and a concentration of 0.05 g/L CuPF6/g-CN, under a pH of 8. This research offers valuable insights into the advancement of cost-effective co-catalysts that enhance the photocatalytic capabilities of established photocatalysts. It contributes to improving the overall performance and efficiency of these photocatalytic systems.

Remediation of environmental toxicants using carbonaceous materials: opportunity and challenges

Adsorption and photocatalytic properties of carbonaceous materials, viz., carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerene, graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanofiber nanospheres, and activated carbon, are the legitimate weapons for the remediation of emerging and persistent inorganic/organic contaminants, heavy metals, and radionucleotides from the environment. High surface area, low or non-toxic nature, ease of synthesis, regeneration, and chemical modification of carbonaceous material make them ideal for the removal of toxicants. The research techniques investigated during the last decade for the elimination of environmental toxicants using carbonaceous materials are reviewed to offer comprehensive insight into the mechanism, efficiency, applications, advantages, and shortcomings. Opportunities and challenges associated with carbon materials have been discussed to suggest future perspectives in the remediation of environmental toxicants.

The environmentally friendly approaches based on the heterojunction interface of the LaFeO3/Fe2O3@g-C3N4 composite for the disposable and laboratory sensing of triclosan

Triclosan (TCS) is a polychlorinated phenoxy phenol (PCPPs) used as a disinfectant and a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent in personal hygiene products. TCS easily forms diphenyl ethers and dioxins, which are persistent organic pollutants. This work used a double approach for the TSC sensing: a) screen-printed (SPE) electrochemical platform for on-site application, modified with lanthanum iron oxide and graphitic carbon nitride composite (LaFeO₃/Fe₂O₃@g-C₃N₄/SPE); and b) carbon paste electrode (CPE), modified with the same material and used in laboratory conditions. Linear range from 0.1 μM to 10 μM, the limit of detection (LOD) of 29 nM and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 91 nM were obtained for CP electrode in BRBS pH 8. SPE showed the best analytical parameters in BRBS at pH 3, with a linear range from 0.3 μM to 7 μM, LOD of 0.09 μM and LOQ of 0.28 μM. Furthermore, the influence of potential interferents was investigated and proven to be negligible. Determination of TSC was performed to estimate the environmental impact of this compound as well as the practical usefulness of the proposed sensor in the real sample analysis, confirmed with a HPLC analysis.

WSe2/g-C3N4 for an In Situ Photocatalytic Fenton-like System in Phenol Degradation

An in situ photo-Fenton system can continuously generate H₂O₂ by photocatalysis, activating H₂O₂ in situ to form strong oxidizing ·OH radicals and degrading organic pollutants. A WSe₂/g-C₃N₄ composite catalyst with WSe₂ as a co-catalyst was successfully synthesized in this work and used for in situ photo-Fenton oxidation. The WSe₂/g-C₃N₄ composite with 7% loading of WSe₂ (CNW2) has H₂O₂ production of 35.04 μmol/L, which is fourteen times higher than pure g-C₃N₄. The degradation efficiency of CNW2 for phenol reached 67%. By constructing an in situ Fenton-system, the phenol degradation rate could be further enhanced to 90%. WSe₂ can enhance the catalytic activity of CNW2 by increasing electron mobility and inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the addition of Fe²⁺ activates the generated H₂O₂, thus increasing the amount of strong oxidative ·OH radicals for the degradation of phenol. Overall, CNW2 is a promising novel material with a high H₂O₂ yield and can directly degrade organic pollutants using an in situ photo-Fenton reaction.

Application of a calcined animal bone to synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride composite

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is a polymeric organic semiconductor that has been extensively developed for various applications. In this study, composites of g-C₃N₄ and calcined animal bone (CAB) were facilely synthesized by calcining a mixture of urea and CAB at different temperatures. The results revealed that the calcination temperature influenced yield, crystallinity, and band gap of g-C₃N₄. In addition, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicated a shift in absorption edge to the high wavelength side in the presence of CAB, implying that CAB promoted thermal condensation of urea. However, thermogravimetric measurements revealed that g-C₃N₄ yield decreased as the calcination temperature increased in the presence of CAB. This is because the amount of g-C₃N₄ was scarce when the mixture was calcined at 823 K. Furthermore, the results of differential thermal analysis indicated that g-C₃N₄ and its intermediates were oxidatively decomposed by CAB at 823 K.

Analysis of Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol with Exfoliated Graphitic Carbon Nitride and Light-Emitting Diodes Using Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) involving a Box–Benkhen design (BBD) was employed to analyze the photocatalytic degradation of phenol using exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and light-emitting diodes (wavelength = 430 nm). The interaction between three parameters, namely, catalyst concentration (0.25–0.75 g/L), pollutant concentration (20–100 ppm), and pH of the solution (3–10), was examined and modeled. An empirical regression quadratic model was developed to relate the phenol degradation efficiency with these three parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then applied to examine the significance of the model; this showed that the model is significant with an insignificant lack of fit and an R2 of 0.96. The statistical analysis demonstrated that, in the studied range, phenol concentration considerably affected phenol degradation. The RSM model shows a significant correlation between predicted and experimental values of photocatalytic degradation of phenol. The model’s accuracy was tested for 50 ppm of phenol under optimal conditions involving a catalyst concentration of 0.4 g/L catalysts and a solution pH of 6.5. The model predicted a degradation efficiency of 88.62%, whereas the experimentally achieved efficiency was 83.75%.

Advanced Inorganic Nitride Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy: A Mini Review of Synthesis Methods

Inorganic nitride nanomaterials have attracted widespread attention for applications in renewable energy due to novel electrochemical activities and high chemical stabilities. For different renewable energy applications, there are many possibilities and uncertainties about the optimal nitride phases and nanostructures, which further promotes the exploration of controllable preparation of nitride nanomaterials. Moreover, unlike conventional nitrides with bulk or ceramic structures, the synthesis of nitride nanomaterials needs more accurate control to guarantee the target nanostructure along with the phase purity, which make the whole synthesis still a challenge to achieve. In this mini review, we mainly summarize the synthesis methods for inorganic nitride nanomaterials, including chemistry vapor deposition, self-propagation high-temperature synthesis, solid state metathesis reactions, solvothermal synthesis, etc. From the perspective of nanostructure, several novel nitrides, with nanostructures like nanoporous, two-dimensional, defects, ternary structures, and quantum dots, are showing unique properties and getting extensive attentions, recently. Prospects of future research in design and synthesis of functional inorganic nitrides are also discussed.

Efficient Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) for Photocatalytic Contaminant Degradation Using Exfoliated Metal-Free Graphitic Carbon Nitride and Visible Light-Emitting Diodes

The photocatalytic performance of metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was examined using visible light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A comparative and parametric study was conducted using the photocatalytic degradation of phenol as a model reaction. The g-C3N4 photocatalyst was synthesized from melamine using thermal condensation, followed by a thermal exfoliation that increases the catalyst surface area from 11 to 170 m2/g. Different characterization techniques, namely X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and zeta potential analysis, were used to characterize the photocatalyst. A comparison of the photodegradation experiments conducted with a full-spectrum xenon lamp and a custom-made single-wavelength LED immersion lamp showed that the photocatalyst performance was better with the LED immersion lamp. Furthermore, a comparison of the performance of exfoliated and bulk g-C3N4 revealed that exfoliated g-C3N4 completely degraded the pollutant in 90 min, whereas only 25% was degraded with bulk g-C3N4 in 180 min because the exfoliated g-C3N4 enhances the availability of active sites, which promotes the degradation of phenol. Experiments conducted at different pH have shown that acidic pH favors the degradation process. The exfoliated g-C3N4 has shown high photocatalytic performance in the photodegradation of other phenolic compounds, such as catechol, m-cresol, and xylenol, as well.

Nanoscale boron carbonitride semiconductors for photoredox catalysis

The conversion of solar energy to chemical energy achieved by photocatalysts comprising homogeneous transition-metal based systems, organic dyes, or semiconductors has received significant attention in recent years. Among these photocatalysts, boron carbon nitride (BCN) materials, as an emerging class of metal-free heterogeneous semiconductors, have extended the scope of photocatalysts due to their good performance and Earth abundance. The combination of boron (B), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) constitutes a ternary system with large surface area and abundant activity sites, which together contribute to the good performance for reduction reactions, oxidation reactions and orchestrated both reduction and oxidation reactions. This Minireview reports the methods for the synthesis of nanoscale hexagonal boron carbonitride (h-BCN) and describes the latest advances in the application of h-BCN materials as semiconductor photocatalysts for sustainable photosynthesis, such as water splitting, reduction of CO₂, acceptorless dehydrogenation, oxidation of sp³ C-H bonds, and sp² C-H functionalization. h-BCN materials may have potential for applications in other organic transformations and industrial manufacture in the future.

Z-scheme 2D-m-BiVO4 networks decorated by a g-CN nanosheet heterostructured photocatalyst with an excellent response to visible light

For economical water splitting and degradation of toxic organic dyes, the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable photocatalysts capable of harvesting visible light is essential. In this study, we designed a model system by grafting graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) (g-CN) nanosheets on the surface of 2D monoclinic bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO₄) nanoplates by a simple hydrothermal method. This as-synthesized photocatalyst has well-dispersed g-CN nanosheets on the surface of the nanoplates of m-BiVO₄, thus forming a heterojunction with a high specific surface area. The degradation rate for bromophenol blue (BPB) shown by BiVO₄/g-CN is 96% and that for methylene blue (MB) is 98% within 1 h and 25 min, respectively. The 2D BiVO₄/g-CN heterostructure system also shows outstanding durability and retains up to ∼95% degradation efficiency for the MB dye even after eight consecutive cycles; the degradation efficiency for BPB does not change too much after eight consecutive cycles as well. The enhanced photocatalytic activities of BiVO₄/g-CN are attributed to the larger surface area, larger number of surface active sites, fast charge transfer and improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers. We proposed a mechanism for the improved photocatalytic performance of the Z-scheme photocatalytic system. The present work gives a good example for the development of a novel Z-scheme heterojunction with good stability and high photocatalytic activity for toxic organic dye degradation and water splitting applications.

For economical water splitting and degradation of toxic organic dyes, the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable photocatalysts capable of harvesting visible light is essential.

Graphite-like carbon nitride quantum dot (CNQD)-modified Bi2MoO6 heterostructure with high visible-light photocatalytic activity

Here, g-C₃N₄ quantum dot (CNQDs)/Bi₂MoO₆ nanoheterostructures were successfully synthesized. The CNQDs/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Mesoporous carbon nitrides: synthesis, functionalization, and applications

Mesoporous carbon nitrides (MCNs) with large surface areas and uniform pore diameters are unique semiconducting materials and exhibit highly versatile structural and excellent physicochemical properties, which promote their application in diverse fields such as metal free catalysis, photocatalytic water splitting, energy storage and conversion, gas adsorption, separation, and even sensing. These fascinating MCN materials can be obtained through the polymerization of different aromatic and/or aliphatic carbons and high nitrogen containing molecular precursors via hard and/or soft templating approaches. One of the unique characteristics of these materials is that they exhibit both semiconducting and basic properties, which make them excellent platforms for the photoelectrochemical conversion and sensing of molecules such as CO₂, and the selective sensing of toxic organic acids. The semiconducting features of these materials are finely controlled by varying the nitrogen content or local electronic structure of the MCNs. The incorporation of different functionalities including metal nanoparticles or organic molecules is further achieved in various ways to develop new electronic, semiconducting, catalytic, and energy harvesting materials. Dual functionalities including acidic and basic groups are also introduced in the wall structure of MCNs through simple UV-light irradiation, which offers enzyme-like properties in a single MCN system. In this review article, we summarize and highlight the existing literature covering every aspect of MCNs including their templating synthesis, modification and functionalization, and potential applications of these MCN materials with an overview of the key and relevant results. A special emphasis is given on the catalytic applications of MCNs including hydrogenation, oxidation, photocatalysis, and CO₂ activation.

Enhanced Solar Light Absorption and Photoelectrochemical Conversion Using TiN Nanoparticle-Incorporated C3N4-C Dot Sheets

In this work, a promising strategy to increase the broadband solar light absorption was developed by synthesizing a composite of metal-free carbon nitride-carbon dots (C₃N₄-C dots) and plasmonic titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance under simulated solar radiation. Hot-electron injection from plasmonic TiN NPs to C₃N₄ played a role in photocatalysis, whereas C dots acted as catalysts for the decomposition of H₂O₂ to O₂. The use of C dots also eliminated the need for a sacrificial reagent and prevented catalytic poisoning. By incorporating the TiN NPs and C dots, a sixfold improvement in the catalytic performance of C₃N₄ was observed. The proposed approach of combining TiN NPs and C dots with C₃N₄ proved effective in overcoming low optical absorption and charge recombination losses and also widens the spectral window, leading to improved photocatalytic activity.

Controllable synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanomaterials for solar energy conversion and environmental remediation: the road travelled and the way forward

This review discusses advances in the synthesis and design of g-C₃N₄-based nanomaterials and their various photocatalytic and photoredox applications.

Controllable Synthesis of Mesoporous Sulfur-Doped Carbon Nitride Materials for Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation

Mesoporous sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (MCNS) materials were successfully synthesized using thiourea as a low-cost precursor and SiO₂ gel solution as a template through a simple thermal condensation method. The effects of three synthesis key factors, namely, the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the weight ratio of SiO₂/thiourea, and also their interactions on the removal rate of methyl orange (MO) were investigated using response surface methodology, and the samples were subjected to several characterization techniques. Results showed that the optimized physicochemical properties could be achieved for the MCNS samples by controlling the synthesis key factors, and it was found that the reaction temperature and the reaction time had significant influences on the MO photocatalytic removal. Among bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), CN (undoped g-C₃N₄), CNS (sulfur-doped g-C₃N₄ without template), and TiO₂ (Degussa P25) samples, the optimized MCNS-4 illustrated the highest photocatalytic activity toward the removal of MO under visible light irradiation. The enhanced performance originated from the synergistic effects of high surface area, mesoporous texture, sulfur doping, and high visible light absorption, which were helpful for the separation and transportation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, MCNS-4 revealed high reusability and stability without any significant decrease in its efficiency. Our findings not only confirm the importance of simultaneous sulfur doping and mesoporous structure to synthesize highly active photocatalysts but also might provide a new insight into textural engineering of carbon nitride materials only by the optimization of the synthesis key variables, considering their interactions without relying on extra metal oxides.

CoSe2 Embedded in C3N4: An Efficient Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

An efficient H₂ evolution catalyst is developed by grafting CoSe₂ nanorods into C₃N₄ nanosheets. The as-obtained C₃N₄-CoSe₂ heterostructure can show excellent performance in H₂ evolution with outstanding durability. To generate phatocathode for photoelectrochemical water splitting CoSe₂ grafted in C₃N₄ was decorated on the top of p-Si microwires (MWs). p-Si/C₃N₄-CoSe₂ heterostructure can work as an efficient photocathode material for solar H₂ production in PEC water splitting. In 0.5 M H₂SO₄, p-Si/C₃N₄-CoSe₂ can afford photocurrent density -4.89 mA/cm² at "0" V vs RHE and it can efficiently work for 3.5 h under visible light. Superior activity of C₃N₄-CoSe₂ compared to CoSe₂ toward H₂ evolution is explained with the help of impedance spectroscopy.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride Film: An Emerging Star for Catalytic and Optoelectronic Applications

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is a unique organic semiconductor that has been widely applied as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst. However, these applications are primarily based on g-CN powders. Applications of g-CN in devices are hindered because of difficulties associated with the synthesis of high-quality g-CN films. This work reviews the latest advances in g-CN films. The deposition methods are summarized and the structural, optical, and electronic properties of g-CN films and their applications in catalysis, solar cells, and light-emitting diodes are outlined. Moreover, the challenges remaining in this field are also discussed.

The ultra-rapid synthesis of 2D graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets via direct microwave heating for field emission

The 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets were ultra-rapidly prepared via a direct microwave heating approach. The as-synthesized g-C3N4 possessed a large surface area, few stacking layers, a large aspect ratio and an enlarged bandgap. As a consequence, the excellent field emission properties of 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets were exhibited with extremely low turn-on fields.

Graphene-Analogues Boron Nitride Nanosheets Confining Ionic Liquids: A High-Performance Quasi-Liquid Solid Electrolyte

Solid electrolytes are one of the most promising electrolyte systems for safe lithium batteries, but the low ionic conductivity of these electrolytes seriously hinders the development of efficient lithium batteries. Here, a novel class of graphene-analogues boron nitride (g-BN) nanosheets confining an ultrahigh concentration of ionic liquids (ILs) in an interlayer and out-of-layer chamber to give rise to a quasi-liquid solid electrolyte (QLSE) is reported. The electron-insulated g-BN nanosheet host with a large specific surface area can confine ILs as much as 10 times of the host's weight to afford high ionic conductivity (3.85 × 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 25 °C, even 2.32 × 10(-4) S cm(-1) at -20 °C), which is close to that of the corresponding bulk IL electrolytes. The high ionic conductivity of QLSE is attributed to the enormous absorption for ILs and the confining effect of g-BN to form the ordered lithium ion transport channels in an interlayer and out-of-layer of g-BN. Furthermore, the electrolyte displays outstanding electrochemical properties and battery performance. In principle, this work enables a wider tunability, further opening up a new field for the fabrication of the next-generation QLSE based on layered nanomaterials in energy conversion devices.

Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescence of g-C3N4: Implication for Temperature Sensing

We report the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) properties of polymeric graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and a methodology for the determination of quantum efficiency along with the activation energy. The PL is shown to originate from three different pathways of transitions: σ*-LP, π*-LP, and π*-π, respectively. The overall activation energy is found to be ∼73.58 meV which is much lower than the exciton binding energy reported theoretically but ideal for highly sensitive wide-range temperature sensing. The quantum yield derived from the PL data is 23.3%, whereas the absolute quantum yield is 5.3%. We propose that the temperature-dependent PL can be exploited for the evaluation of the temperature dependency of quantum yield as well as for temperature sensing. Our analysis further indicates that g-C3N4 is well-suited for wide-range temperature sensing.

Nanonization of g-C3N4with the assistance of activated carbon for improved visible light photocatalysis

Activated carbon was used as a support to obtain a nano-sized g-C₃N₄/AC catalyst with excellent activity for phenol degradation under visible light.

Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of MWCNTs/TiO2Nanocomposites for Degradation of Aqueous Substrate

In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/TiO2nanocomposites were obtained by constant volumetric wet impregnation processes. The prepared catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of reaction conditions on photocatalytic performance of the catalysts was investigated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV irradiation, in a new type of reactor with unique structure. The results showed that the prepared nanocomposite exhibited higher MO degradation efficiency than that of pure nano-TiO2. Besides, in batch experiments of influencing factors, including ionic strength, oxidant amount, and response times, the presence of H2O2would contribute to increasing the MO degradation rate of MWCNTs/TiO2samples. Ionic concentration and long reaction times are adverse to the MO degradation in the processes.

Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles loaded on two-dimensional large surface area graphite-like carbon nitride sheets: simple synthesis and excellent photocatalytic performance

Smaller Ag₂CrO₄ nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the large surface area g-C₃N₄ sheets and exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Cu-doped mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced visible-light driven photocatalysis

A series of Cu-doped mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (Cu/mpg-C₃N₄) photocatalysts with Cu introduced from 0.1 to 5 wt% were prepared using cupric chloride and melamine as precursors.

Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride functionalized iron oxides for promoting phenol oxidation activity

Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride was found to be a superior support of iron oxides, improving the dispersion, adjusting the iron oxidation state, and promoting the catalytic oxidation of phenol.

An artful and simple synthetic strategy for fabricating low carbon residual porous g-C3N4 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

An artful and simple synthetic strategy for fabricating low carbon residual porous g-C₃N₄.

Significant enhancement of photoreactivity of graphitic carbon nitride catalysts under acidic conditions and the underlying H(+)-mediated mechanism

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is an emerging photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation owing to its excellent stability and metal-free property. In this study, the photocatalytic activity of acidified g-C3N4 (ag-C3N4) was systematically investigated using rhodamine B (rhB) as a model organic pollutant. The results showed the photoreactivity of ag-C3N4 is significantly enhanced with the decrease of pH values. The apparent rate constant (kapp) of rhB degradation over ag-C3N4 is 11.59×10(-3)min(-1) at pH7.0 and it increases to 103.50×10(-3)min(-1) at pH3.0 under visible light. A series of analyses demonstrate that the photodegradation mechanism is a combination of a H(+)-promoted generation of OH and elevation of the redox potential of conduct band of C3N4. The change of surface properties of C3N4 caused by pH variation also affects the degradation of some zwitterionic compounds by changing the adsorption orientation of pollutants. The revealed mechanism of visible light-C3N4-rhB system is meaningful to broaden the usage of C3N4 to the photodegradation of other organic pollutants.

A practical and highly sensitive C3N4-TYR fluorescent probe for convenient detection of dopamine

The C3N4-tyrosinase (TYR) hybrid is a highly accurate, sensitive and simple fluorescent probe for the detection of dopamine (DOPA). Under optimized conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of C3N4-TYR is proportional to the DOPA concentration in the range from 1 × 10(-3) to 3 × 10(-8) mol L(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.995. In the present system, the detection limit achieved is as low as 3 × 10(-8) mol L(-1). Notably, these quantitative detection results for clinical samples are comparable to those of high performance liquid chromatography. Moreover, the enzyme-encapsulated C3N4 sensing arrays on both glass slide and test paper were evaluated, which revealed sensitive detection and excellent stability. The results reported here provide a new approach for the design of a multifunctional nanosensor for the detection of bio-molecules.

Polymeric photocatalysts based on graphitic carbon nitride

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is considered to be an attractive way for solving the worldwide energy shortage and environmental pollution issues. Since the pioneering work in 2009 on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for visible-light photocatalytic water splitting, g-C3N4 -based photocatalysis has become a very hot research topic. This review summarizes the recent progress regarding the design and preparation of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts, including the fabrication and nanostructure design of pristine g-C3N4 , bandgap engineering through atomic-level doping and molecular-level modification, and the preparation of g-C3N4 -based semiconductor composites. Also, the photo-catalytic applications of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts in the fields of water splitting, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, organic syntheses, and bacterial disinfection are reviewed, with emphasis on photocatalysis promoted by carbon materials, non-noble-metal cocatalysts, and Z-scheme heterojunctions. Finally, the concluding remarks are presented and some perspectives regarding the future development of g-C3N4 -based photocatalysts are highlighted.

C3N4-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced visible-light photoelectrochemical performance

A C₃N₄-sensitized TiO₂ nanotube array-based photoanode was designed and fabricated via the in situ growth of C₃N₄ on the surface of TiO₂ nanotube, which shows stable and significantly improved PEC activity for the hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation.

Cosolvent-free nanocasting synthesis of ordered mesoporous g-C3N4 and its remarkable photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation

Ordered mesoporous g-C₃N₄, synthesized via a green cosolvent-free nanocasting route, exhibited remarkable photodegradation performance towards methyl orange with a degradation rate constant 30 times higher than that of bulk g-C₃N₄.