Synthesis of Porous Carbon Nitride Nanobelts for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO₂

Sustainable conversion of CO₂ to fuels using solar energy is highly attractive for fuel production. This work focuses on the synthesis of porous graphitic carbon nitride nanobelt catalyst (PN-g-C₃N₄) and its capability of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. The surface area increased from 6.5 m²·g^-1 (graphitic carbon nitride, g-C₃N₄) to 32.94 m²·g^-1 (PN-g-C₃N₄). C≡N groups and vacant N_2C were introduced on the surface. PN-g-C₃N₄ possessed higher absorbability of visible light and excellent photocatalytic activity, which was 5.7 and 6.3 times of g-C₃N₄ under visible light and simulated sunlight illumination, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity may be owing to the porous nanobelt structure, enhanced absorbability of visible light, and surface vacant N-sites. It is expected that PN-g-C₃N₄ would be a promising candidate for CO₂ photocatalytic conversion.