CHAPTER 5: Graphitic Carbon Nitride-polymer Hybrids: A Win–Win Combination with Advanced Properties for Different Applications

One of the most promising materials for photocatalysis is metal-free graphitic carbon-nitride (g-C₃N₄) that can be employed for a plethora of purposes, e.g. organic synthesis, energy conversion or wastewater remediation. g-C₃N₄ contains a suitable band gap in the visible light as well as excellent physicochemical stability. Nevertheless, several challenges have to be tackled with g-C₃N₄, for example, structural disorder, poor dispersion properties, low conductivity and also inconvenient processing. A combination with polymers belongs to the most versatile strategies to enhance g-C₃N₄ properties as a way toward advanced materials. The present chapter focuses on the studies and progress in g-C₃N₄/polymer materials, including (1) photoinitiator properties of g-C₃N₄, (2) modification of g-C₃N₄ with polymers for enhanced dispersion, (3) hybrid materials of g-C₃N₄ and polymers formed by physical or covalent attachment and (4) hydrogels based on g-C₃N₄. In addition, several applications are highlighted, e.g. biosensors, photocatalysis, batteries, H₂ evolution and thin films. At the end, a summary and outlook on future developments as well as current issues of this research area are presented.