Improved Photoactivities of Large‐surface‐area g‐C₃N₄ for CO₂ Conversion by Controllably Introducing Co‐ and Ni‐Species to Effectively Modulate Photogenerated Charges

Abstract

Abstract Simultaneously modulating photogenerated electrons and holes by introducing transitional metals species on carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) are highly desired for effectively photocatalytic converting CO 2 . Herein, a cyanuric acid‐melamine preassembled approach is developed to obtain large‐surface‐area g‐C 3 N 4 with high photoactivity for CO 2 conversion, and its photoactivity is improved by controllably modifying Co‐species during the synthetic process of g‐C 3 N 4 , attributed to its hole capture capability and catalytic capability for water oxidation. Moreover, the photoactivity is further improved by decorating Ni‐species on g‐C 3 N 4 , attributed to its electron capture capability and catalytic capability for CO 2 reduction. Noticeably, simultaneously modulating holes and electrons displays a noticeable synergy on improving photocatalytic activities. Interestingly, the photoactivity of amount‐optimized Co and Ni co‐modified g‐C 3 N 4 is 3.1‐time higher than that of pristine g‐C 3 N 4 , with the quantum efficiency improvement of 4.5 time at 405 nm. This work will provide a feasible way of simultaneously modulating electrons and holes to fabricate high‐performance g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based nano‐sized photocatalysts for CO 2 conversion.