Organic terpyridine molecule as an efficient cocatalyst for metal–free CO2 photoreduction mediated by mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride

• • Efficient metal-free hybrid photocatalysis for CO 2 reduction was established. • • Organic terpyridine molecules were enabled as efficient cocatalysts. • • The CO evolution rate was 1.92 × 10 4 μmol g −1 h −1 with 99.8% selectivity. • • Solid mpg-C 3 N 4 functioned as an electron mediator. Metal-free catalytic conversion of CO 2 with high selectivity and efficiency is promising for achieving carbon neutrality. However, nonmetallic catalytic...