Feature ArticleNovel framework g-C3N4 film as efficient photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

- Novel framework g-C3N4 film prepared by thermal vapor liquid-polymerization method.
- The film as photoanode in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
- High performances due to uniformity, excellent light harvesting and faster charge transfer rate.

We firstly report the fabrication of the g-C3N4 film with novel framework structure by thermal vapor liquid-polymerization method which grows directly on FTO glass substrate as photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting to produce hydrogen. The specific growth process for the framework structure of the g-C3N4 film has been discussed in detail. The outstanding PEC performance with an improved photocurrent density of the framework g-C3N4 film is accessed by 89 μA/cm2 at 1.1 V (vs. RHE), which is higher than that of the g-C3N4 film prepared from g-C3N4 powder. The remarkable PEC performance benefits from the considerable factors as following: (i) the uniformity of film grown on FTO substrate; (ii) the excellent light harvesting ability; (iii) the better optical performance; (iv) the reduced photogenerated electron-hole pairs recombination rate. In addition, this method is extremely facile to prepare g-C3N4 film for water splitting into H2.

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