Large-scale production of graphitic carbon nitride with outstanding nitrogen photofixation ability via a convenient microwave treatment

Abstract A convenient microwave treatment for synthesizing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) with outstanding nitrogen photofixation ability under visible light is reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 adsorption, UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, N 2 -TPD, EPR, photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent measurements were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. The results indicate that microwave treatment can form many irregular pores in as-prepared g-C 3 N 4 , which causes the increased surface area and separation rate of electrons and holes. More importantly, microwave treatment causes the formation of many nitrogen vacancies in as-prepared g-C 3 N 4 . These nitrogen vacancies not only serve as active sites to adsorb and activate N 2 molecules but also promote interfacial charge transfer from catalysts to N 2 molecules, thus significantly improving the nitrogen photofixation ability. Moreover, the present process is a convenient method for large-scale production of g-C 3 N 4 which is significantly important for the practical application.