Recent progress in graphitic carbon nitride-based catalysts for water treatment: Contaminant elimination, disinfection and membrane applications

The field of water treatment has attracted extensive attention due to its close relationship with human health. As an effective water treatment technology, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on catalysts can purify water effectively. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), as a promising catalyst, has been widely applied in the fields of environment and energy owing to its unique advantages including better visible light activity, non-metallic frame and excellent stability. However, there has been limited comprehensive summarization of the application of g-C₃N₄-based catalysts in water treatment. Hence, this work presents a review that focuses on the recent progress of g-C₃N₄-based catalysts in water treatment. The degradation of contaminants by g-C₃N₄-based catalysts with photo-assistance is summarized from the perspectives of catalyst modification and oxidant activation. Moreover, the summary and analysis of the degradation of pollutants by g-C₃N₄-based catalysts under the assistance of non-light-induced oxidant activation have been conducted. In addition, recent advances for the application of g-C₃N₄-based catalysts in disinfection and membrane treatment are also reviewed. Ultimately, the opportunities, challenges, and prospects for g-C₃N₄-based catalysts in water treatment are proposed to promote their popularization and practical application.