Enhancing Visible-Light Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Crystalline Carbon Nitride by Defect Engineering

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photocatalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Crystalline carbon nitride (CCN)-based semiconductors are key for solar energy conversion.
• Improving CCN photocatalytic ability often involves a trade-off between crystallinity and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a defect engineering strategy for modifying CCN photocatalysts.
• To enhance the photocatalytic performance of CCN without compromising crystallinity.

Main Methods:

• A facile defect engineering strategy was employed to modify CCN.
• The resulting defect-engineered CCN (D-CCN) was characterized for its properties.

Main Results:

• D-CCN maintained high crystallinity.
• Hydrogen production rate of D-CCN was approximately 8 times higher than that of CCN.
• D-CCN exhibited photocatalytic activity even at wavelengths up to 610 nm.

Conclusions:

• Defect engineering in CCN is an effective strategy to improve photocatalytic activity.
• Introduced defects form midgap states, broadening visible-light absorption and accelerating charge separation.
• This approach offers a pathway for advanced solar energy conversion materials.