A review on TiO2/g-C3N4

A review on TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ visible-light- responsive photocatalysts for sustainable energy generation and environmental remediation
Author links open overlay panelRashmiAcharyaKulamaniParida
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.103896Get rights and content
Abstract
Semiconductor based photocatalysis has been considered as a propitious technology to resolve sustainably energy scarcity and environmental pollution across the globe. Though TiO₂ and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has extensively been investigated among various semiconductors, their prospective applications are restricted due to high rate of recombination of photoinduced charge carriers. Moreover, the UV active wide band gap of TiO₂ limits it utilization of inexhaustible solar radiation, which consists of only 7 % of UV component. In this review, these issues have been addressed with illustration of different strategies employed for construction of TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ (TGCN) heterojunction. We have overviewed various synthetic routes for TGCN heterojunction construction and principles for construction of Type II and Z scheme TGCN heterojunctions. Different morphology based TGCN heterostructures such as mesoporous, core-shell, point-to-face (0D/2D), line-to-face (1D/2D) and face to face (2D/2D) architectures were systematically discussed. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of morphology based TGCN heterojunctions with respect to H₂ generation and environmental remediation in terms of NO oxidation, CO₂ conversion, Cr (VI) reduction, dye degradation, organics removal and antibiotics decontamination are thoroughly reviewed. Photoelectrochemical water oxidation over TGCN electrode was succinctly described. Mechanism of pollutant degradation was highlighted by the demonstration of radical trapping experiments, electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The stability of TGCN heterojunctions was also illustrated. Limitations and challenges of TGCN heterojunction photocatlytic system were briefly depicted in this review. The future perspectives for commercialisation of this photocatalytic system in production of H₂ energy and degradation of pollutants were presented.

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