Nitrogen vacancy enhanced photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol in g-C3N4

Efficient photocatalytic selective conversion of organic under mild condition remains challengeable for green chemistry. In this work, we determined that nitrogen vacancies (NVs) in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) could enhance photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The as-prepared N-deficient g-C₃N₄ samples (CN_x) exhibited superior conversion efficiency and excellent product selectivity than pristine g-C₃N₄ upon visible light irradiation. By combining experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations, the NVs in g-C₃N₄ could significantly boost carrier separation and act as specific sites to enhance the adsorption and activation of reactants. Thus, our work could provide insight into the pathways of reaction between defects and reactants, and point out a feasible strategy for green fine chemical production.