Synthesis of Porous Carbon Nitride Nanobelts for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO(2)

Sustainable conversion of CO(2) 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-C(3)N(4)) and its capability of photocatalytic CO(2) reduction. The surface area increased from 6.5 m(2)·g(−1) (graphitic carbon nitride, g-C(3)N(4)) to 32.94 m(2)·g(−1) (PN-g-C(3)N(4)). C≡N groups and vacant N(2C) were introduced on the surface. PN-g-C(3)N(4) possessed higher absorbability of visible light and excellent photocatalytic activity, which was 5.7 and 6.3 times of g-C(3)N(4) 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-C(3)N(4) would be a promising candidate for CO(2) photocatalytic conversion.