Current advances on g-C3N4-based fluorescence detection for environmental contaminants

The development of highly-sensitive fluorescence detection systems for environmental contaminants has become high priority research in the past years. Special attention has been paid to graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based nanomaterials, whose unique and superior optical property makes them promising and attractive candidates for this purpose. It is necessary to enhance the current understanding of the various classes of g-C3N4-based fluorescence detection systems and their mechanisms, as well as find suitable approaches to improve detection performance for environmental monitoring, protection, and management. In this review, the recent progresses on g-C3N4-based fluorescence detections for environmental contaminants, mainly including their basic principles, mechanisms, applications, modification strategies, and conclusions, are summarized. A particular emphasis is placed on the design and development of modification strategies for g-C3N4 with the objective of improving detection performance. High photoluminescence quantum yield, tunable fluorescence emission characteristics, and strong adsorption capacity of g-C3N4 could ensure the ultrasensitivity and selectivity of fluorescence detection of environmental contaminants. Concluding perspectives on the challenges and opportunities to design highly efficient g-C3N4-based fluorescence detection system are intensively put forward as well.