Molecular-doped Precursor Derived Porous g-C3N4 for Photocatalytic H2 Production

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5106-9

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 276-282.doi: 10.1007/s40242-025-5106-9

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Molecular-doped Precursor Derived Porous g-C₃N₄ for Photocatalytic H₂ Production

ZHAI Binjiang¹, JIANG Yuzhou^1,2, ZONG Shichao^3,4, WANG Mingzhi¹, WANG Zixin¹, JIN Hui¹, LIU Yanbing¹, KANG Xing¹, SHI Jinwen¹

1. International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China;
2. Huaneng Shaanxi Power Generation Co., Ltd, Xi'an 710075, P. R. China;
3. Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, P. R. China;
4. Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semiarid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, P. R. China

Received:2025-05-22 Online:2026-02-01 Published:2026-01-28
Contact: ZONG Shichao,E-mail:shichaozong@chd.edu.cn;JIN Hui,E-mail:jinhui@mail.xjtu.edu.cn;SHI Jinwen,E-mail:jinwen_shi@mail.xjtu.edu.cn E-mail:shichaozong@chd.edu.cn;jinhui@mail.xjtu.edu.cn;jinwen_shi@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFB3803600), the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province, China (No. 2024GX-YBXM-459), the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province, China (No. 2023-JC-QN-0618), the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, China (No. 2025ZNSFSC1250), the Shaanxi Postdoctoral Science Foundation, China (No. 2023BSHYDZZ126), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China.

Abstract

Abstract: Molecular design of novel precursors represents a strategic approach to mitigating severe charge recombination in g-C₃N₄. Distinct from conventional high-temperature thermal polymerization, this work develops novel precursors through lowtemperature hydrothermal assembly of melamine-cyanuric acid supramolecule with hexamethylenetetramine doping. After the calcination of modified precursors, the obtained g-C₃N₄ has a porous structure and an ultra-high specific surface area. Advanced characterizations confirm the reduced layer stacking, the disrupted π-π conjugated structure, and critically, the accelerated charge transport efficiency. Remarkably, the modified g-C₃N₄ achieves a 22 times enhancement in visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution (λ>400 nm) compared to pristine g-C₃N₄, which is among the highest improvements reported for supramolecular modified g-C₃N₄ systems. This molecular engineering strategy for precursors establishes a new approach to designing high-performance photocatalysts.

Key words: Graphite carbon nitride, Photocatalysis, Hydrogen, Supramolecule

ZHAI Binjiang, JIANG Yuzhou, ZONG Shichao, WANG Mingzhi, WANG Zixin, JIN Hui, LIU Yanbing, KANG Xing, SHI Jinwen. Molecular-doped Precursor Derived Porous g-C₃N₄ for Photocatalytic H₂ Production[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 276-282.

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Molecular-doped Precursor Derived Porous g-C₃N₄ for Photocatalytic H₂ Production

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