Phosphorylation of polymeric carbon nitride photoanodes with increased surface valance electrons for solar water splitting.

Overcoming the sluggish kinetics of the water oxidation is the key to lead a high performance for solar water splitting. Herein, we find that phosphorylated polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) photoanodes present enhanced photocurrent density for solar water splitting, and the photocatalytic efficiency is achieved 120 µA/cm2 in basic solution (1.0 M NaOH) without scarifice agent. In this sytem, phosphates ionically anchor on the surface of PCN, and the modified films show significantly increased density of valance electrons, and thus promoting photoelectrocatalytic efficiency.