journal article·2026-07Open access

Molten Salt Assisted Carbon Nitride Overcomes Inherent Photocatalytic Limitations: Unique Characteristics for High‐Efficiency Light‐Driven Energy Production

Zirong Liu, Min Cheng, Danlian Huang, Suhua Chen, Guangfu Wang, Hongda Liu, Qingkai Shi, Si Deng, Ao Chen, Xinyu Zou, Chenyu Liang

Small· Volume 22· Issue 39

Abstract

ABSTRACT Under the dual challenges of global energy transition and environmental governance, the development of novel photocatalytic materials to realize the efficient conversion of solar to clean energy has become an urgent need. Despite extensive research having demonstrated the impressive photocatalysis performance of molten salt‐based carbon nitride (MSCN), the precise structure regulation mechanism of MSCN and its conformational relationship with photocatalytic performance are still crucial issues that need to be addressed. Based on this, this review first systematically analyzes the structure characteristics of MSCN, with a focus on the precise regulation mechanisms of molten salt‐assisted synthesis (MSAS). Thereafter, the intrinsic mechanism of its performance enhancement caused by the structure characteristics is discussed in depth from various aspects. Then, innovative achievements of advanced MSCN in the fields of photocatalytic energy production are summarized, which reveals the intrinsic correlation between the structure characteristics, photogenerated charge carrier behaviors, and surface reaction kinetics. Finally, the major challenges and prospects of MSCN toward real‐world implementations are outlined. Undoubtedly, this study provides insights into the potential challenges associated with rationally designing high‐performance photocatalysts to reinforce photocatalysis, which will guide the generation of ideal catalysts.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Copper-based nanomaterials and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Environmental Science and Engineering Hunan University, and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University) Ministry of Education Changsha China

College of Environmental Science and Engineering Nanchang Hangkong University Nanchang China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

References (100+)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1038/s41467‐022‐32256‐610.1038/s41467‐022‐32256‐6 ↗
2. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.12459910.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124599 ↗
3. 10.1007/s40820‐025‐01978‐910.1007/s40820‐025‐01978‐9 ↗
4. 10.1039/b800489g10.1039/b800489g ↗
5. 10.1038/nmat467610.1038/nmat4676 ↗
6. 10.1038/nphoton.2012.17510.1038/nphoton.2012.175 ↗
7. 10.1016/j.cej.2026.17545810.1016/j.cej.2026.175458 ↗
8. 10.1016/j.ccr.2025.21754410.1016/j.ccr.2025.217544 ↗
9. 10.1021/cr500189210.1021/cr5001892 ↗
10. 10.1016/j.ccr.2023.21550010.1016/j.ccr.2023.215500 ↗
11. 10.1039/d4ee01748j10.1039/d4ee01748j ↗
12. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.12528010.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125280 ↗
13. 10.1039/c0ee00418a10.1039/c0ee00418a ↗
14. 10.1038/238037a010.1038/238037a0 ↗
15. 10.1002/advs.20230710610.1002/advs.202307106 ↗
16. 10.1002/advs.20200108010.1002/advs.202001080 ↗
17. 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b0007510.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00075 ↗
18. 10.1039/d3cc03052k10.1039/d3cc03052k ↗
19. 10.1002/anie.20180470210.1002/anie.201804702 ↗
20. L.‐L.Liu F.Chen J.‐H.Wu J.‐J.Chen andH.‐Q.Yu “Synergy of Crystallinity Modulation and Intercalation Engineering in Carbon Nitride for Boosted H2O2Photosynthesis ” inProceedings National Academy of Science USA120 no.6(2023):e2215305120 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215305120.10.1073/pnas.2215305120 ↗
21. 10.1016/j.ccr.2025.21708510.1016/j.ccr.2025.217085 ↗
22. 10.1038/s41467‐024‐49046‐x10.1038/s41467‐024‐49046‐x ↗
23. 10.1002/aenm.20180076210.1002/aenm.201800762 ↗
24. 10.1002/adma.20240828510.1002/adma.202408285 ↗
25. 10.1002/chem.20080019010.1002/chem.200800190 ↗
26. 10.1021/ja200838c10.1021/ja200838c ↗
27. 10.1021/ja411321s10.1021/ja411321s ↗
28. 10.1021/acscatal.6b0333410.1021/acscatal.6b03334 ↗
29. 10.1016/j.jcat.2018.08.01810.1016/j.jcat.2018.08.018 ↗
30. 10.1021/jacs.9b0687210.1021/jacs.9b06872 ↗
31. 10.26434/chemrxiv.9879947.v110.26434/chemrxiv.9879947.v1 ↗
32. 10.1002/aenm.20200301610.1002/aenm.202003016 ↗
33. 10.1002/adfm.20221156510.1002/adfm.202211565 ↗
34. 10.1002/adma.20210706110.1002/adma.202107061 ↗
35. 10.1021/acsnano.3c1077910.1021/acsnano.3c10779 ↗
36. 10.1002/adfm.20250188910.1002/adfm.202501889 ↗
37. 10.1002/anie.20240639810.1002/anie.202406398 ↗
38. 10.1002/anie.20220780710.1002/anie.202207807 ↗
39. 10.1002/anie.20240629010.1002/anie.202406290 ↗
40. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.12517510.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125175 ↗
41. 10.1016/j.watres.2024.12130910.1016/j.watres.2024.121309 ↗
42. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.13124910.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131249 ↗
43. 10.1002/adfm.20241340610.1002/adfm.202413406 ↗
44. 10.1002/adfm.20220737510.1002/adfm.202207375 ↗
45. 10.1002/anie.20221643410.1002/anie.202216434 ↗
46. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.12304910.1016/j.apcatb.2023.123049 ↗
47. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.01.06910.1016/j.apcatb.2019.01.069 ↗
48. 10.1021/acsnano.1c0891210.1021/acsnano.1c08912 ↗
49. 10.1002/idm2.1215910.1002/idm2.12159 ↗
50. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.12381110.1016/j.apcatb.2024.123811 ↗
51. 10.1002/adfm.20230282410.1002/adfm.202302824 ↗
52. 10.1002/anie.20170687010.1002/anie.201706870 ↗
53. 10.1021/acscatal.6b0092210.1021/acscatal.6b00922 ↗
54. 10.1002/anie.20231921610.1002/anie.202319216 ↗
55. 10.1002/adma.20230683110.1002/adma.202306831 ↗
56. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.07510.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.075 ↗
57. 10.1002/adma.20230749010.1002/adma.202307490 ↗
58. 10.1002/anie.20230793010.1002/anie.202307930 ↗
59. 10.1002/anie.20220745710.1002/anie.202207457 ↗
60. 10.1039/C5EE01895A10.1039/C5EE01895A ↗
61. 10.1021/jacs.8b1242810.1021/jacs.8b12428 ↗
62. 10.1002/adfm.20231221510.1002/adfm.202312215 ↗
63. 10.1002/anie.20190864010.1002/anie.201908640 ↗
64. 10.1002/anie.20211176910.1002/anie.202111769 ↗
65. 10.1002/adma.20180754010.1002/adma.201807540 ↗
66. 10.1016/j.cej.2024.15468310.1016/j.cej.2024.154683 ↗
67. 10.1021/acsnano.4c0830910.1021/acsnano.4c08309 ↗
68. 10.1002/anie.20230268410.1002/anie.202302684 ↗
69. 10.1021/acscatal.5c0869410.1021/acscatal.5c08694 ↗
70. 10.1016/j.jcat.2025.11611710.1016/j.jcat.2025.116117 ↗
71. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.11922510.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119225 ↗
72. 10.1021/acscatal.3c0536010.1021/acscatal.3c05360 ↗
73. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.12390210.1016/j.apcatb.2024.123902 ↗
74. 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.12895510.1016/j.seppur.2024.128955 ↗
75. 10.1002/adma.20230071310.1002/adma.202300713 ↗
76. 10.1021/acsnano.0c0454410.1021/acsnano.0c04544 ↗
77. 10.1002/anie.20211338910.1002/anie.202113389 ↗
78. 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.11219210.1016/j.cclet.2025.112192 ↗
79. 10.1021/acscatal.0c0335910.1021/acscatal.0c03359 ↗
80. 10.1002/adsu.20250166110.1002/adsu.202501661 ↗
81. 10.1002/smll.20240221910.1002/smll.202402219 ↗
82. 10.1002/anie.20242126310.1002/anie.202421263 ↗
83. 10.1002/anie.20211174910.1002/anie.202111749 ↗
84. 10.1016/j.jcat.2023.11518010.1016/j.jcat.2023.115180 ↗
85. 10.1002/adfm.20220511910.1002/adfm.202205119 ↗
86. 10.1002/adfm.20210573110.1002/adfm.202105731 ↗
87. 10.1038/s41467‐021‐24048‐110.1038/s41467‐021‐24048‐1 ↗
88. 10.1021/acscatal.2c0023310.1021/acscatal.2c00233 ↗
89. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.12590810.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125908 ↗
90. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.13101710.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131017 ↗
91. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.12507310.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125073 ↗
92. 10.1002/advs.20220167710.1002/advs.202201677 ↗
93. 10.1002/adma.20241352510.1002/adma.202413525 ↗
94. 10.1002/anie.20221084910.1002/anie.202210849 ↗
95. 10.1021/acscatal.1c0073910.1021/acscatal.1c00739 ↗
96. 10.1007/s40843‐025‐3709‐410.1007/s40843‐025‐3709‐4 ↗
97. 10.1016/j.ccr.2023.21548910.1016/j.ccr.2023.215489 ↗
98. 10.1002/anie.20241883010.1002/anie.202418830 ↗
99. 10.26434/chemrxiv.9879947.v110.26434/chemrxiv.9879947.v1 ↗
100. 10.1021/acscatal.4c0303110.1021/acscatal.4c03031 ↗