Solar-to-hydrogen conversion: Nanostructuring increases efficiency of metal-free photocatalysts by factor 11

Polymeric carbon nitrides exhibit a catalytic effect in sunlight that can be used for the production of hydrogen from solar energy. However, the efficiency of these metal-free catalysts is extremely low. A team has now increased the catalytic efficiency of these polymeric carbon nitrides by a factor 11 through a simple process resulting in a larger surface area.