Recent advancements in the fabrication and photocatalytic applications of graphitic carbon nitride-tungsten oxide nanocomposites

Abstract

The present review focuses on the widely used graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanocomposite in photocatalytic applications. These catalysts are widely employed due to their easy preparation, high physicochemical stability, nontoxicity, electron-rich properties, electronic band structure, chemical stability, low cost, earth-abundance, high surface area, and strong absorption capacity in the visible range. These sustainable properties make them predominantly attractive and unique from other photocatalysts. In addition, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is synthesized from nitrogen-rich precursors; therefore, it is stable in strong acid solutions and has good thermal stability up to 600 °C. This review covers the historical background, crystalline phases, density-functional theory (DFT) study, synthesis method, 0-D, 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D materials, oxides/transition/nontransition metal-doped, characterization, and photocatalytic applications of WO₃/g-C₃N₄. Enhancing the catalytic performance strategies such as composite formation, element-doping, heterojunction construction, and nanostructure design are also summarized. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges for WO₃/g-C₃N₄ composite materials are discussed to motivate young researchers and scientists interested in developing environment-friendly and efficient catalysts.