Photocatalytic Activity Enhanced via g‑C₃N₄ Nanoplates to Nanorods

The transformation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) from nanoplates to nanorods was realized by a simple reflux method. The photocatalytic activity and the intensity of the photocurrent response of g-C₃N₄ nanorods under visible light were about 1.5 and 2.0 times those of g-C₃N₄ nanoplates, respectively. The formation mechanism of g-C₃N₄ from nanoplates to nanorods was demonstrated that g-C₃N₄ nanoplates undergo a possible exfoliation and regrowth process and a rolling mechanism of lamellar structure, which is responsible for elimination of the surface defects in the reflux process. During the transformation of g-C₃N₄ from nanoplates to nanorods, the enhancement of photocatalytic activity and photocurrent intensity in g-C₃N₄ nanorods was mainly attributed to the increase of active lattice face and elimination of surface defects.