P-doped g-C3N4 as an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 conversion into value-added materials: a joint experimental and theoretical study

The photocatalytic yield of g-C₃N₄ for CO₂ reduction was modified by phosphorus doping. Possible reaction pathways for CO₂ reduction on the P-doped g-C₃N₄ (PCN) surface were investigated by density function theory calculations for the first time. The experimental results showed that P doping increases the carriers' lifetime, which improves the production of CH₄ through the increase in the driving force of the electrons. The partial density of states of the PCN showed that the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are composed of p_x, p_y, and, s orbitals of the N atoms and p_z states of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, respectively. Mechanism studies confirm that formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, and methane are the most probable products. Methane, having positive adsorption energy, can be easily desorbed from the PCN surface, and the Gibbs activation energy of the final step is 1.98 eV. The formation of H₂COOH is the rate-determining step.