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.