Fabrication of large surface area nitrogen vacancy modified graphitic carbon nitride with improved visible-light photocatalytic performance

In this work, nitrogen vacancy modified graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with large surface area was synthesized and analyzed by a series of instruments, including XRD, FTIR, XPS, EPR SEM, TEM, DRS and PL, etc. and the photocatalytic H2-evolution activity was investigated. The results indicated that the as-synthesized g-C3N4 with nitrogen vacancy exhibited stronger visible light response capability, enlarged specific surface area and notably separated rate of photoinduced charge carriers, which caused the as-synthesized photocatalyst possessing the higher hydrogen evolution rate (5250 μmol h−1 g−1) and excellent recycle stability. Evidently, this work could provide a new insight for preparing highly efficient photocatalyst.