Advancements in Photocatalytic H2O2 Production via Carbon Vacancy-Engineered g-C3N4

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is gaining prominence as a versatile oxidizing agent and sustainable energy carrier, prompting the need for efficient and eco-friendly production methods. Traditional approaches face challenges such as high energy consumption and environmental impact, driving interest towards alternative methods like photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has emerged as a promising photocatalyst due to its inherent band structure that facilitates solar energy utilization. However, bare g-C3N4 encounters limitations like rapid charge recombination and limited light absorption. Recent advancements have focused on enhancing g-C3N4 photocatalysts through carbon vacancy (Cv) engineering, which effectively modifies electronic and surface properties to improve photocatalytic performance. This mini-review explores the fundamental principles and recent advancements in Cv-engineered g-C3N4 photocatalysts for H2O2 production. It discusses the critical roles of carbon vacancies in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4, along with methods for creating carbon vacancies in g-C3N4 and their impact on photocatalytic H2O2 production. The review also addresses challenges related to scalable synthesis and practical deployment of Cv-g-C3N4 materials, providing insights into future research directions for sustainable photocatalytic technologies.