Recent progress in g-C3N4 quantum dots: synthesis, properties and applications in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Abstract

Graphitic-carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C₃N₄QDs), as a rising star in the carbon nitride family, show great potential in many fields involving bioimaging, fuel cells, and photo(electro)catalysis, due to their fascinating optical and electronic properties. Especially, the efficient light capture, tunable photoluminescence and extraordinary up-conversion photoluminescence properties of g-C₃N₄QDs may offer promising potential for full utilization of the solar spectrum, thus promoting their applications in photocatalytic reactions. Some reviews on g-C₃N₄ have been presented; while most of them have concentrated on g-C₃N₄ in 3-dimensional (3D) or 2D structures, few focused on g-C₃N₄QDs. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the recent advances in g-C₃N₄QDs regarding their synthesis, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic applications for degrading organic pollutants. Moreover, crucial issues in g-C₃N₄QD future application in these flourishing research areas are discussed, with prospects towards the final realization of efficient and long-term stable g-C₃N₄QD-based photocatalysts.