Facile synthesis of all carbon-based cocatalyst assists carbon nitride nanotubes with effective photocatalytic H2 evolution.

All carbon-based CG/M − CN rectangular nanotubes have been constructed by a facile molten salt thermal condensation of melamine and glucose. In the molten salt fluid, the glucose is carbonized into graphene-like (CG) nanosheets acting as an electron acceptor, and the melamine thermally condenses into carbon nitride (M − CN) rectangular nanotube acting as an electron donor. The 0.5 wt% CG/M − CN nanotubes display a photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 2345 μmol h−1 g−1, which is 1.52 times higher than that of M-CN. Moreover, without loading Pt co-catalyst, the 0.5 wt% CG/M − CN nanotubes show a 12.75 times higher photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate than that of M-CN. It is revealed that the graphene-like CG nanosheets not only can act as an electron acceptor boosting charge carrier separation, but also function as a HER cocatalyst for M-CN. Our work provides a new insight for the development of all carbon-based photocatalysts for energy-related applications. All carbon-based donor-acceptor (D-A) conjugated CG/M − CN rectangular tubular composites with HER cocatalyst free have been constructed through a facile one-step molten salt thermal condensation approach, which exhibits superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. [Display omitted] • The CG/M − CN composites are developed by a molten salt thermal condensation method. • CG acts as an electron acceptor and cocatalyst for M − CN to drive H 2 evolution. • The D-A conjugated system promotes fast charge carrier transfer in CG/M-CN. • The 0.5 wt% CG/M − CN without cocatalyst shows optimal photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]