Probing supramolecular assembly and charge carrier dynamics toward enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in 2D graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets

Abstract

Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (2D g-C3N4) nanostructures have been the focus of substantial research interest recently owing to their promising photoactive properties for use in solar-to-fuel conversion. However, the synthesis of 2D g-C3N4 nanomaterials remains a significant challenge. Here we successfully synthesized 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets via a supramolecular chemistry approach. 2D g-C3N4 nanostructures not only enhance the visible light-harvesting property but also provide more catalytic sites for improved hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). More importantly, we describe experimental findings concerning the dynamics of charge and energy transfer by using ultrafast spectroscopy in combination with in-situ electron spin resonance (ESR) characterization. The mechanistic investigation reveals that the introduction of a benzene-substituted melamine motif can remarkably accelerate the electron-hole separation and suppress the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. The carrier separation dynamics is expected to be tailored by engineering the surface and morphology of g-C3N4, which favors enhanced solar photocatalytic HER efficiency.