Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4) Nanosheets as a Multipurpose Material for Detection of Amines and Solar‐Driven Hydrogen Production. Issue 5 (9th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vu, Manh Hiep; Nguyen, Chinh Chien; Do, Trong‐On
• Is Part Of: ChemPhotoChem. Volume 5:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 466
• Page End: 475
• Publication Date: 2021-02-09
• Subjects: amine detection -- functional groups -- graphitic carbon nitride -- hydrogen evolution -- photocatalysis; Photochemistry -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 541.35
• DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202000265
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2367-0932

Abstract

Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets decorated by multiple functional groups (denoted as CN−KNa) were as a multipurpose material, both in photocatalytic applications and as a photo‐induced indicator. The presented g‐C3 N4 is fabricated via a facile alkali‐salt‐assisted calcination method. The structural analysis reveals significant changes in the structure of the host CN−KNa nanosheets associated with the existence of multiple functional groups (for example, hydroxy, carbonyl, and cyano groups). Such modifications lead to enhanced light absorption and charge separation, resulting in an efficient photocatalyst not only for solar‐driven hydrogen production but also for primary amine detection in aqueous solution. Thus, the solar light driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution yield using the synthesized CN−KNa sample is found to be 50.3 μmol h −1, which is approximately 14 times higher than that of bulk g‐C3 N4 . More importantly, this functional‐group‐decorated CN−KNa facilitated electron transportation between CN−KNa and amine compounds, causing a colour change in the solution mixture, which has been observed for the first time. This novel observation indicates that CN−KNa can be considered a new class of photo‐induced indicator agent to detect primary amine compounds in aqueous solution. Abstract : Pass the salt please : A high‐performance g‐C3 N4 ‐based photocatalyst was prepared using an alkaline‐salt‐associated calcination technique. This method allowed the incorporation of a high concentration of hydroxyl, carbonyl and cyano functional groups, and the resultant material was found to possess outstanding properties, with excellent light absorption and enhanced photogenerated charge separation rate. Consequently, the prepared g‐C3 N4 efficiently produces H2 and can be used to detect amine‐group‐containing organic substances under solar irradiation.