Photocatalytic Activity Enhanced via g-C3N4 Nanoplates to Nanorods

The transformation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) from nanoplates to nanorods was realized by a simple reflux method. The photocatalytic activity and the intensity of the photocurrent response of g-C3N4 nanorods under visible light were about 1.5 and 2.0 times those of g-C3N4 nanoplates, respectively. The formation mechanism of g-C3N4 from nanoplates to nanorods was demonstrated that g-C3N4 nanoplates undergo a possible exfoliation and regrowth process and a rolling mechanism of lamellar structure, which is responsible for elimination of the surface defects in the reflux process. During the transformation of g-C3N4 from nanoplates to nanorods, the enhancement of photocatalytic activity and photocurrent intensity in g-C3N4 nanorods was mainly attributed to the increase of active lattice face and elimination of surface defects.