A novel nonmetal intercalated high crystalline g-C3N4 photocatalyst for efficiency enhanced H2 evolution

Introducing nickel foam as assistant, a novel nonmetal intercalated high crystalline graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) catalyst was successfully fabricated by β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) pretreated melamine with one step thermal polymerization process. The final results show that 0.3-NCCN presented a remarkably visible-light (λ > 400 nm) photocatalytic H₂ evolution reaching 9297  μmol g^?1 h^?1, and the reaction process follows the zero-order kinetic model. The increase in crystallization of 0.3-NCCN implies a higher-ordered arrangement of tris-s-triazine. The nonmetal interlayer formed by oxygen-contained graphitized carbon can extend the π-conjugated system. Both above significantly benefit the rapid migration and separation of charge-carrier. Moreover, the narrowed band gap provides a stronger thermodynamic driving force for improving the photocatalytic water splitting efficiency. Our work paved a new method to construct high performance photocatalyst for water splitting.