Zhiwei Meng, Shasha Chen, Pingyu Yang, Yupeng Yan, Guanjie Jiang, Qin Zhang, Yang Li*

Cite this article: Chin. J. Struct. Chem., 2026, 45(6), 100889. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2026.100889

Publication date: June 1, 2026

Keywords: S-scheme heterojunctions; Carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄); Environmental application; Photocatalysis

ABSTRACT

Photocatalytic materials hold great promise in alleviating energy shortages and remediating environmental pollution. The S-scheme photocatalyst has garnered significant attention for its ability to enhance photocatalytic performance through a unique charge-transfer mechanism. g-C3N4 finds extensive application in environmental remediation and energy conversion due to its high stability, straightforward preparation methods, and unique band structure. Numerous materials based on g-C3N4 have been fabricated and applied in S-scheme photocatalytic systems. It is therefore necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of the latest research advances in g-C3N4-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts. This comprehensive review analyses the development of S-scheme photocatalytic mechanisms, design concept, synthesis method and characterization methods of S-scheme heterojunctions. It also outlines the application progress of g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, degradation of pollutants, enhanced photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide generation, and the catalytic conversion of organic compounds. Simultaneously outlines the main challenges of g-C3N4 S-scheme photocatalysts and future research directions. This review provides a theoretical foundation for the advancement of g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunctions.