Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is an emerging visible-light-responsive photocatalyst that has been explored since 2009. This photocatalyst has highly tailorable structures and properties that enable potential utilization of a large portion of solar energy. This material is also synthesized from earth-abundant precursors, is chemically and thermally stable, and is biocompatible with no reported toxicity to date. The merits and pioneering performance evaluation of g-C₃N₄ indicate that this photocatalyst holds promise for the degradation of persistent and emerging contaminants, including chemicals and pathogens, for sustainable water purification with reduced energy and chemical footprint. In this perspective, we propose and answer five questions that are most relevant to the development and application of g-C₃N₄ for photocatalytic water purification, including both benefits and current barriers, from molecular-scale mechanistic understanding of g-C₃N₄ properties and photocatalytic performance to industrial-scale photoreactor design for g-C₃N₄ implementation in practice.

中文翻译：

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新兴研究者系列：石墨碳氮化物作为可见光响应型光催化剂的可持续水净化的进步与挑战

自2009年以来，石墨碳氮化物（gC ₃ N ₄）是一种新兴的可见光响应型光催化剂。这种光催化剂具有高度可定制的结构和性质，可以潜在地利用大部分太阳能。该材料也是由地球上丰富的前体合成的，具有化学和热稳定性，并且具有生物相容性，迄今尚无毒性报告。gC ₃ N ₄的优缺点和开创性的性能评估表明这种光催化剂有望降解包括化学物质和病原体在内的持久性和新兴污染物，从而实现可持续的净水，同时减少能源和化学足迹。从这个角度出发，我们从分子尺度对gC ₃ N _4的性质和光催化的机理理解中，提出并回答了与gC ₃ N ₄的开发和在光催化水净化中的应用最相关的五个问题，包括益处和电流障碍。在实践中实现对工业级光反应器设计的性能，以实现gC ₃ N ₄。