Synergistic Modulation of π–π* and n–π* Transitions by In Situ Phenol‐Like Structure Integration for Efficiently Wide‐Spectrum Hydrogen Production of Ultrathin Carbon Nitride

Abstract

Abstract2D carbon nitride nanosheets, exemplified by g‐C3N4, offers significant structural benefits and enhanced photocatalytic activity. Nonetheless, the quantum confinement effect prevalent in nanoscale photocatalysts would result in an enlarged bandgap, potentially restricting the spectral absorption range and impeding improvements in photocatalytic efficiency. Here, a high‐performance 2D photocatalyst with an extended spectral response is achieved by incorporating a novel phenol‐like structure into the conjugated framework of ultrathin g‐C3N4 nanosheet. This novel strategy features targeted pyrimidine doping to create a conjugated carbon zone in heptazine structure, offering a thermodynamically favorable pathway for hydroxyl functionalization during the annealing exfoliation process. Consequently, the π–π* transition energy in the material is significantly decreased, and the active lone pair electrons in phenol‐like structure induces a new n–π* transition with notably enhanced absorption from 500 to 650 nm. The optimized material shows a dramatic enhancement in photocatalytic activity, achieving ≈72 times than the activity of bulk g‐C3N4, and demonstrating a measurable H2 production rate of 6.57 µmol g−1 h−1 under 650 nm light. This study represents a significant step forward in the strategic design of 2D photocatalysts, with tailored electronic structures that significantly boost light absorption and photocatalytic efficiency.