A critical review on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based composites for environmental remediation

Abstract Environmental contaminants have become one kind of the most rigorous environmental issues, and the removal of various environmental contaminant (dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, phenols, metal ions, VOCs, etc.) is of particular concern because they are poisonous and recalcitrant in the environment. In recent years, graphitic carbon nitride obtained more and more attention due to its abundance of raw material, chemical stability, metal-free nature, environmental friendliness, as well as adjustable structure. Hence, this design and application of high efficiency g-C3N4- based functional materials for remediation of representative environmental pollutants is a promising area of research. In view of this, the critical review summarizes the recent advances in the design and preparation of novel g-C3N4-based composites via various methods and the removal efficiencies and related mechanisms via different techniques (adsorption, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and membrane separation) are also summarized. Furthermore, some perspectives and research direction are briefly discussed. All in all, the g-C3N4-based composites have great advantages environmental remediation in the future.