A critical review of g-C3N4-based photocatalytic membrane for water purification

Abstract

Abstract Due to the synergistically enhanced efficiency and self-cleaning performance, photocatalytic membranes provide an energy sustainable and environment friendly approach for water purification. Constructing photocatalytic membranes with visible-light responsiveness is of great scientific and technical importance for the long-term stability of support membranes and the fully utilization of solar energy. Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a visible-light driven photocatalyst with tailorable structures and excellent stability, has emerged as an attractive material for membrane applications. Herein, in order to introduce the recent advances of this field, we present a critical review on g-C3N4-based photocatalytic membranes. We firstly summarize the tailoring strategies that can be used to improve the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 and facilitate the membrane processing. The fabrication and modification methods of g-C3N4-based photocatalytic membranes are discussed, with an emphasis on the critical role of carbon nanomaterials, function molecules and theoretical calculations. The fundamental contribution of modified g-C3N4 to the mechanism of organic pollutant degradation and the fouling control of composite membranes is illustrated. Finally, the perspectives for the future study and the practical applications of g-C3N4-based photocatalytic membranes are proposed.