g-C3N4 based Z-scheme photocatalysts for environmental pollutants removal

• Published in: Current opinion in green and sustainable chemistry 2023-04, Vol.40, p.100749, Article 100749
• Main Authors: Bairamis, Feidias, Rapti, Ilaeira, Konstantinou, Ioannis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Efficient charge separation; g-C3N4; Heterojunctions; Photocatalysis; Pollutant; Z-scheme catalysts
• ISSN: 2452-2236; 2452-2236
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100749

In the last few years, the interest in photocatalysis has increased rapidly because of its important role in environmental depollution and energy crisis. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalyst has attracted attention because of its physicochemical properties and facile preparation however its efficiency in charge carrier separation must be improved. Z-scheme-based heterostructures are getting attention because of the effective separation of charge carriers with increased oxidation and reduction capability. Especially, the direct Z-scheme seems to be the ideal proposed photocatalytic system for the creation of composite nanomaterials. This short review concerns the development and application of Z-scheme-based g-C3N4 composite materials and their photocatalytic efficiency against emerging pollutants (pharmaceutical, organic dyes, etc) for the last 3 years. Except from the type of coupled semiconductors in the Z-scheme heterostructure, the dimensionalities of the semiconductors could play a crucial role in the effectiveness of the photocatalyst. •g–C3N4–based direct Z-scheme heterojunctions are presented.•Recently developed binary and ternary g-C3N4 Z-scheme catalysts are discussed.•Efficiency is assessed towards degradation of pollutants (pharmaceuticals, dyes, etc).•Further developments needed for maximizing applicability are pointed out.