Fish-scale structured g-C3N4 nanosheet with unusual spatial electron transfer property for high-efficiency photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract Grafing the structures in nature onto g-C 3 N 4 is an interesting and fascinating protocol to highly optimize its performances. Herein, a novel opened-up fish-scale structured g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet has been synthesized via a simple one-step solvothermal method for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The unique fish-scale structure endows g-C 3 N 4 with unusual spatial electron transfer property, which means that the photogenerated electrons selectively migrate along the flat direction to the edges of fish-scale flakes. This property well reveals the transfer path of photogenerated charges and the origin of high charge separation efficiency in photocatalytic reaction, thus yielding a remarkable catalytic activity (a hydrogen-evolution rate of 1316.35 μ mol h −1  g −1 ), nearly 20 and 2.93 times higher than that of bulk g-C 3 N 4 and exfoliated g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet. Besides, the fish-scale structured g-C 3 N 4 also owns a superior durability and stability, indicating an outstanding potential application in solar fuel production. The research results would provide a platform for the design and construction of high-performance photocatalysts with highly-efficient charge separation.