Metal

Catalysis

Composite number

Metallurgy

Materials science

Layer (electronics)

Water splitting

Carbon fibers

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Carbon nitride

Graphitic carbon nitride

Composite material

Chemistry

Nitride

Photocatalysis

Carbon

A variety of g–C3N4–based metal-free photocatalysts for H2 generation including structurally manipulated g-C3N4, g–C3N4–doped with non-metallic elements and molecules, hetero-junctions of g-C3N4 with carbonaceous materials, polymers as well as SiC and g–C3N4–based iso-type or homo-junctions are considered. Innumerable strategies have been attempted to enhance H2 evolution rate of g–C3N4–derived metal-free photocatalysts compared to pure g-C3N4. Furthermore, challenges in this area are yet to be tackled to resolve the issues low efficiency, low stability and dependence on noble metal co-catalysts for increasing the product yield and reduction in redox capability by narrowing the band gap. This review attempts to cover the latest developments, especially in the area of graphitic carbon nitride (g–C3N4)–based metal-free photocatalysts for H2 generation.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g–C3N4)–based metal-free photocatalysts for water splitting: A review