Noble-Metal-Free Bi/g-C₃N₄ Nanohybrids for Efficient Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction under Simulated Irradiation

In this study, novel Schottky-junction photocatalysts Bi-metal-deposited g-C3N4 were constructed via a one-step solvothermal process for photocatalytic CO2 reduction under simulated irradiation. The photocatalytic performance illustrated that the nanohybrid catalysts have extreme activity and excellent stability. The maximum CO yield of 3.78 μmol h–1 g–1 was reached on the BiCN-0.6 hybrid, which was about 3 times as much as that of pure g-C3N4. The phase, microstructure, and optical and photoelectrochemical properties were demonstrated by related characterization methods. The improvement mechanism could be ascribed to the enhanced photon absorption capacity and the decreased recombination rate of photoinduced carriers arising from the Schottky barrier in the system. This work may provide a meaningful approach to enhance the photocatalytic activity through a simple and green strategy.