Single Au Atoms Anchored on Amino‐Group‐Enriched Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Abstract Owing to the maximum atom‐utilization efficiency and excellent catalytic properties, Au single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have been extensively studied in various catalytic systems. However, the performance of Au SACs in CO 2 reduction has seldom been investigated. Herein, Au single atoms on amino‐group‐modified graphitic carbon nitride (U‐ACN) was successfully synthesized through a mild and eco‐friendly urea reduction method. U‐ACN showed a remarkable performance for CO 2 reduction, with CO and CH 4 yields 1.97 and 4.15 times higher than those of pure graphitic carbon nitride over 2.5 h visible‐light irradiation. The excellent catalytic activity of U‐ACN derived from the introduction of Au single atoms, which lowered the energy barrier of CH 4 formation, narrowed the band gap, and hindered the recombination of charge carriers. In addition, U‐ACN showed improved CO 2 affinity owing to the amino groups in the catalysts introduced by urea.