A review of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalytic materials for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Abstract Currently, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) has exceeded 400 ppm in the atmosphere. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore CO 2 reduction and utilization technologies. Photocatalytic technology can convert CO 2 to valuable hydrocarbons (CH 4 , CH 3 OH, and C 2 H 5 OH, etc.), realizing the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy as well as solving the problems of fossil fuel shortage and global warming. Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ), as a two‐dimensional nonmetallic semiconductor material, shows great potential in the field of CO 2 photoreduction due to its moderate bandgap, easy synthesis method, low cost, and visible light response properties. This review elaborates the research progress of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction. The modification strategies (e.g., morphology engineering, elemental doping, crystallinity modulation, cocatalyst modification, and constructing heterojunction) of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction application have been discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and development prospects of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalytic materials for CO 2 reduction are presented.