Etching-induced highly porous polymeric carbon nitride with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic catalysts with a large specific surface area generally can not only supply more active sites but also facilitate the surface charge separation process. Here, we present a facile method to synthesize highly porous polymeric carbon nitride by an acid etching process. Benefitting from the porous structure and enlarged specific surface area, CN-0.25H reveals an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate. Experimental and computational results suggest that the improved surface charge separation process mainly accounts for the enhanced photocatalytic activity, illustrating the importance of the surface area for a CN photocatalyst.