Recent advances in g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), having unique properties, like suitable electronic band structure, ease of functionalization, easy synthesis, and high stability is a polymeric semiconductor. These properties make it suitable to act as a photocatalyst and have attracted researchers to use it for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). This review provides the recent advances (2019 onwards) in the development of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts to be employed for HER, starting with the fundamentals of g-C3N4, designing and engineering g–C3N4–based photocatalysts categorized as doped-g-C3N4, composites of g-C3N4, and engineered-g-C3N4 are discussed. Analysis of characteristics and advantages of g-C3N4-based heterojunctions is also provided, followed by current challenges and future perspectives, leading to the conclusion. It is expected to offer valuable information for rational design of novel and efficient g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for visible-light-driven HER.