Graphitic carbon nitride (g–C₃N₄)–assisted materials for the detection and remediation of hazardous gases and VOCs

authored by

Naveen Kumar, Monika Kumari, Mohammed Ismael, Muhammad Tahir, Raj Kishore Sharma, Kavitha Kumari, Janardhan Reddy Koduru, Pardeep Singh

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g–C₃N₄)–based materials are attracting attention for their unique properties, such as low-cost, chemical stability, facile synthesis, adjustable electronic structure, and optical properties. These facilitate the use of g-C₃N₄ to design better photocatalytic and sensing materials. Environmental pollution by hazardous gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be monitored and controlled using eco-friendly g–C₃N₄– photocatalysts. Firstly, this review introduces the structure, optical and electronic properties of C₃N₄ and C₃N₄ assisted materials, followed by various synthesis strategies. In continuation, binary and ternary nanocomposites of C₃N₄ with metal oxides, sulfides, noble metals, and graphene are elaborated. g-C₃N₄/metal oxide composites exhibited better charge separation that leads to enhancement in photocatalytic properties. g-C₃N₄/noble metal composites possess higher photocatalytic activities due to the surface plasmon effects of metals. Ternary composites by the presence of dual heterojunctions improve properties of g-C₃N₄ for enhanced photocatalytic application. In the later part, we have summarised the application of g-C₃N₄ and its assisted materials for sensing toxic gases and VOCs and decontaminating NOx and VOCs by photocatalysis. Composites of g-C₃N₄ with metal and metal oxide give comparatively better results. This review is expected to bring a new sketch for developing g–C₃N₄–based photocatalysts and sensors with practical applications.

Organisation(s)

Section Electrical Energy Storage Systems

External Organisation(s)

Maharshi Dayanand University
United Arab Emirates University
University of Delhi
Baba Mastnath University
Kwangwoon University
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences

Type

Article

Journal

Environmental research

Volume

231

ISSN

0013-9351

Publication date

15.08.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biochemistry, Environmental Science(all)

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116149 (Access: Closed)