A Review on Advancements of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Based Phototelectrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical water splitting has been envisaged as a promising green technology for efficient solar-to-fuel conversion. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) demands prime focus among the emerging class of potential 2D materials for energy harvesting and storage on account of its high chemical/thermal stability and metal-free nature. The unique characteristics of the material enable its application as both a photocathode and photoanode. However, the low photocurrent density of pristine g-C3N4 curbs its possible commercial application. Considerable attempts to modify the electrodes via nano-structuring, heteroatom doping, heterojunction formation, and other methods are in progress. The current review offers insights into the potential and limitations of g-C3N4 as a photoanodic/cathodic material.