Insight into the Role of Size Modulation on Tuning the Band Gap and Photocatalytic Performance of Semiconducting Nitrogen-Doped Graphene

Considerable attention has been focused on transforming graphene (GR) into semiconducting GR by diverse strategies, which can perform as one type of promising photocatalyst toward various photoredox reactions. Herein, we report a facile alkali-assisted hydrothermal method for simultaneous tailoring of the lateral size of GR and nitrogen (N) doping into the GR matrix, by which small-sized N-doped GR (S-NGR) can be obtained. For comparison, large-sized N-doped GR (L-NGR) has also been achieved through the same hydrothermal treatment except for the addition of alkali. The photocatalytic activity test shows that S-NGR exhibits much higher activity than L-NGR toward the degradation of organic pollutants under visible-light irradiation. Structure-photoactivity correlation analysis and characterization suggest that the underlying origin for the significantly enhanced visible-light photoactivity of S-NGR in comparison with L-NGR can be assigned to the lateral size decrease in the NGR sheet, which is able to tune the band gap of semiconducting NGR, to facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers, and to improve the adsorption capacity of NGR toward the reactant. It is expected that this work will cast new light on the judicious utilization of semiconducting GR with controlled size modulation and heteroatom doping to tune its physicochemical properties, thereby advancing further developments in the rational design of more efficient semiconducting GR materials for diverse applications in photocatalysis.

g-C3N4 modified flower-like WO3–Bi2WO6 microspheres with enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity

g-C₃N₄ modified flower-like WO₃–Bi₂WO₆ microspheres were synthesized, which show excellent photoelectrocatalytic activity.

A graphene–melamine-sponge for efficient and recyclable dye adsorption

The submersible graphene–melamine-sponges present fast and highly efficient adsorption for water soluble dyes.

The formation and mechanism of nano-monocrystalline γ-Fe2O3 with graphene-shell for high-performance lithium ion batteries

We have synthesized nano-monocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ coated with graphene having high rate performance for lithium ion batteries.

Mesoporous Phosphorus-Doped g-C3N4 Nanostructured Flowers with Superior Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been deemed a promising heterogeneous metal-free catalyst for a wide range of applications, such as solar energy utilization toward water splitting, and its photocatalytic performance is reasonably adjustable through tailoring its texture and its electronic and optical properties. Here phosphorus-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanostructured flowers of in-plane mesopores are synthesized by a co-condensation method in the absence of any templates. The interesting structures, together with the phosphorus doping, can promote light trapping, mass transfer, and charge separation, enabling it to perform as a more impressive catalyst than its pristine carbon nitride counterpart for catalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation. The catalyst has low cost, is environmentally friendly, and represents a potential candidate in photoelectrochemistry.

Insights into mesoporous metal phosphonate hybrid materials for catalysis

Mesoporous metal phosphonates have received increasing attention as promising heterogeneous catalysts due to their abundant framework compositions and controllable porosity.

Magnetically separable Fe2O3/g-C3N4 catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ composites possess enhanced photoactivity and can be magnetically separated after photoreaction.