Sulfur-doped graphitic-carbon nitride (S@g-C3N4) as bi-functional catalysts for hydrazine sensing and hydrogen production applications

Design and synthesis of metal-free, cost-effective, and ecofriendly nanostructured materials are of great importance for optoelectronic and electrochemical applications. In this study, we have synthesized metal-free sulfur-doped graphitic-carbon nitride (S@g-C3N4) by poly-condensation process. The synthesized S@g-C3N4 was authenticated by various advanced characterization techniques. Further, glassy carbon electrode was modified with S@g-C3N4 which acted as hydrazine sensor. This developed hydrazine sensor exhibited excellent detection limit of 0.98 µM with sensitivity of 1.81 µA µM−1cm−2. Furthermore, synthesized S@g-C3N4 was also explored as photo-catalyst for the generation of hydrogen (H2) using photo-catalysis process. The S@g-C3N4 exhibited excellent hydrogen production of 6547 µmol g−1 which suggested presence of excellent catalytic properties in S@g-C3N4. •Cost-effective, and ecofriendly sulfur doped g-C3N4 was synthesized.•Hydrazine sensor was developed using sulfur doped g-C3N4 as electro-catalysts.•Hydrazine sensor showed excellent detection limit and selectivity.•H2 generation was carried out using sulfur doped g-C3N4.