Functional Carbon Nitride Materials in Photo‐Fenton‐Like Catalysis for Environmental Remediation

Abstract

Among various advanced oxidation processes, coupled photocatalysis and heterogeneous Fenton‐like catalysis (known as photo‐Fenton‐like catalysis) to generate highly reactive species for environmental remediation has attracted wide interests. As an emerging metal‐free photocatalyst, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4, CN) has been recently recognized as a promising candidate to catalyze robustly heterogeneous photo‐Fenton‐like reactions for wastewater remediation. This review summarizes recent progress in fabricating various types of CN‐based catalysts for the photo‐Fenton‐like reaction process. Innovative engineering strategies on the CN matrix are outlined, ranging from morphology control, defect engineering, nonmetal atom doping, organic molecule doping to modification by metal‐containing species. The photo‐Fenton‐like catalytic activities of CN loaded with auxiliary sub‐nanoscale (e.g., quantum dots, organometallic molecules, metal cations, and single atom metals) and nanoscale metal‐based materials are critically evaluated. Hybridization of CN with bandgap‐matching semiconductors for the construction of type‐II and Z‐scheme heterojunctions are also examined. The critical factors (e.g., morphology, dimensionality, light absorption, charge excitation/migration, catalytic sites, H 2 O 2 generation and activation) that determine the performance of CN‐based photocatalysts in Fenton‐like catalysis are systematically discussed. After examining the structure–activity relationship, research perspectives are proposed for further development of CN‐based photocatalysts toward more efficient photo‐Fenton‐like reactions and their application in practical water treatment.