Boosting carrier separation over ultrathin g-C3N4 by f-ionic intercalation for improved photocatalytic activity

Reinforcing carrier separation is the key issue to improve the photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Although tailoring layer dimension by exfoliation could shorten the diffusion paths, the transport of charge carriers between g-C3N4 adjacent layers still needs to conquer large resistance. Here, by virtue of gas-shocking triggered synthetic strategy, the F can be inserted into ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets via interlaminar C − F semi-ionic bond. Benefiting from the ultrathin 2D structure and interlayered F, the interlayered electronic channel has been established for F-intercalated g-C3N4 (xF-CNS) to promote charge cross the adjacent layers. All characterization results including XRD, FTIR, XPS and solid-state NMR approved the successful intercalation of F species in the interlayer of ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets, which induces improved light reception and accelerated photogenerated carriers transport-separation, thus achieving an improved photocatalytic mineralization efficiency of Ibuprofen. This work provides a new train of thoughts into modified ultrathin g-C3N4 materials to receive further improvement of photocatalytic efficiency.