Template-free preparation of non-metal (B, P, S) doped g-C3N4 tubes with enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 generation

Developing environmentally friendly methods to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has received increasing attention. Photocatalysis has been proved to be a sustainable technology for H2O2 production. Herein, the novel non-metal elements (B, P, and S) doped g-C3N4 tubes (B-CNT, P-CNT, and S-CNT) photocatalysts were obtained via a hydrothermal synthesis followed by thermal polymerization. By adjusting the precursor, the yield of g-C3N4 tubes (CNT) materials has been greatly improved. The as-prepared B-CNT, P-CNT, and S-CNT photocatalysts show an enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production with the formation rate constants values of 42.31 μM min−1, 24.95 μM min−1, and 24.22 μM min−1, respectively, which is higher than that of bulk CN (16.40 μM min−1). The doped B, P, S elements significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity by adjusting their electronic structures and promoting the separation of electron-hole carriers. The results have shown great potential for the practical application of CNT photocatalysts.