Nitrogen-rich graphitic carbon nitride nanotubes for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with simultaneous contaminant degradation

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has aroused great concern since it applied to the photocatalytic process. However, the inherent shortcomings of bulk g-C3N4, such as small active surface area, low separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, sluggish charge transport process, etc., result in low-level photocatalytic performance. The rich-nitrogen carbon nitride nanotubes (CNNTs) made by an easy supermolecule self-assembly method could slove these subsisting problems. The CNNTs with unique morphology possess superior separation/migration of photo-excited charge carriers and enhanced photocatalytic performance. Under irradiation with visible light (λ > 400 nm), measured with Pt (3 wt%) as co-catalyst, the CNNTs have a hydrogen evolution rate of 18.06 mmol h-1 g-1 and its apparent quantum yield (AQY) is 12.55% (420 nm). The CNNTs are also applied to degrade antibiotics with simultaneous hydrogen production, providing a method for alleviating energy crisis and environmental pollution issues. The degradation rate of bisphenol A (BPA) is 92% and simultaneously with 13.63 μmol photocatalytic hydrogen generation after irradiation for 5 h.