g‐C₃N₄ Nanosheet Nanoarchitectonics: H₂ Generation and CO₂ Reduction

Abstract Few‐layered graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) has been considered a popular base for constructing composite materials in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction and H₂ generation applications, particularly for constructing g‐C₃N₄ based composites based on the idea of nanoarchitectonics. The photocatalytic activity of these constructed g‐C₃N₄ composites relies on the composition, morphology, microstructure of the material. This review aims to focus on the summary of latest progress in the development of few‐layered g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets based noble metal clusters/nanoparticles and other semiconductor nanomaterials modified composite materials constructed using the technology of nanoarchitectonics for photocatalytic H₂ generation and CO₂ reduction. This review covers a brief introduction of the enhanced photogenerated carrier separation and transfer as well as extended light absorption of superior thin g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets based photocatalysts; discussions on the mechanism of g‐C₃N₄ based photocatalyst involved photocatalytic H₂O splitting and CO₂ reduction system; the latest progress in the study of nanoarchitectonics of a variety of g‐C₃N₄ based heterostructures including type II, Z‐scheme, S‐scheme, and Schottky junction. Major challenges on nanoarchitectonics of superior thin g‐C₃N₄ based heterostructures, as well as the recommendations for future studies of these materials to attain higher efficiency in photocatalytic H₂ generation and CO₂ reduction, are also concluded.