Ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets with an extended visible-light-responsive range for significant enhancement of photocatalysis

Abstract

Ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets were synthesized via thermal exfoliation of bulk urea-derived g-C3N4 under an argon atmosphere. As a visible-light responsive photocatalyst, this material exhibits a much superior photocatalytic activity in pollution degradation and H2 evolution than bulk g-C3N4, as a result of the extended region of visible light response and the enhanced surface area of ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets. These findings may provide a promising and facile approach to the design of high-performance photocatalysts.