Molecular Assembly Unlocks Dual‐Defect Synergy in Carbon Nitride for Efficient H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Photosynthesis

While promising for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) production, the performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) is curtailed by a central synthesis paradox: the mutually exclusive conditions required to simultaneously create its most effective dual active sites-nitrogen vacancies and cyano groups. Herein, this paradox is resolved with a molecular assembly-molten salt coupling strategy, a precise bottom-up approach enabling the one-step, synergistic creation of K-doped g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> with both defect types. This photocatalyst achieves an exceptional H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production activity of 2.65 mmol·g<sup>-1</sup>·h<sup>-1</sup>, which is 6.2 and 3.0 times higher than that of pristine and physically-ground K-doped g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, respectively. Characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that molecular assembly promotes K<sup>+</sup> interlayer embedding to facilitate charge migration, while the dual defects exhibit functional complementarity: nitrogen vacancies enhance O<sub>2</sub> adsorption, and cyano groups facilitate proton coupling. In situ analysis also confirms an easier O<sub>2</sub> activation effect and a lowered energy barrier for <sup>*</sup>OOH formation, ensuring high selectivity via a two-step, single-electron pathway. This study not only offers a route to rationally engineer dual-defect sites in carbon nitride but also provides a generalizable strategy for designing other advanced photocatalysts.

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Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2025-11-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202517957
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.36

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Molecular Assembly Unlocks Dual‐Defect Synergy in Carbon Nitride for Efficient H 2 O 2 Photosynthesis

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article

Molecular Assembly Unlocks Dual‐Defect Synergy in Carbon Nitride for Efficient H 2 O 2 Photosynthesis

Fu‐Zhen Xuan, Jing Ming Xu, Pengfei Tian, Xiaolin Sun, Minghui Zhu, Jiangtao Li
article en
1 citations

Abstract

While promising for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) production, the performance of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) is curtailed by a central synthesis paradox: the mutually exclusive conditions required to simultaneously create its most effective dual active sites-nitrogen vacancies and cyano groups. Herein, this paradox is resolved with a molecular assembly-molten salt coupling strategy, a precise bottom-up approach enabling the one-step, synergistic creation of K-doped g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> with both defect types. This photocatalyst achieves an exceptional H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production activity of 2.65 mmol·g<sup>-1</sup>·h<sup>-1</sup>, which is 6.2 and 3.0 times higher than that of pristine and physically-ground K-doped g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, respectively. Characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that molecular assembly promotes K<sup>+</sup> interlayer embedding to facilitate charge migration, while the dual defects exhibit functional complementarity: nitrogen vacancies enhance O<sub>2</sub> adsorption, and cyano groups facilitate proton coupling. In situ analysis also confirms an easier O<sub>2</sub> activation effect and a lowered energy barrier for <sup>*</sup>OOH formation, ensuring high selectivity via a two-step, single-electron pathway. This study not only offers a route to rationally engineer dual-defect sites in carbon nitride but also provides a generalizable strategy for designing other advanced photocatalysts.

Advanced ScienceVol. 13(5)
East China University of Science and Technology (CN), Guangxi University (CN), State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Openalex Percentile: Top 36%
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
0.36
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