Molten-salt assisted synthesis of polymeric carbon nitride-based photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic activity under green light irradiation

The co-condensation of dicyandiamide and aminobenzonitrile (ABN) followed by post-calcination in NaCl-KCl molten salt can endow the Polymeric Carbon Nitride (PCN) with enhanced electron delocalization and defects (-CN and nitrogen defects), leading to extended optical absorption range and improved separation rate of photogenerated carriers. As a consequence, the active-optimized DCN-NaK-90ABN accounts for 76 times promotion than DCN in photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) under visible light. More importantly, the photocatalytic activity is demonstrated by the significantly enhanced degradation of BPA and H2 production under λ > 500 nm, which are much better than those of most previously reported PCN-based photocatalysts. Furthermore, the theoretical calculations certify the validity of proposed structure and explain the reactive mechanism combing with the experimental results. Our findings shed light on a new pathway for designing the efficient photocatalysts to capture the long wavelength solar power. [Display omitted] •Enhanced delocalization and defects (-CN and nitrogen defect) in PCN were achieved.•Molecular regulation of PCN was realized by MS-based strategy and the graft of ABN.•Carrier separation efficiency and optical absorption range are greatly promoted.•High photodegradation and H2 evolution activity were realized under green light.