biostudies-literatureXiao MEngineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT)ARCPhilanthropic GrantUniversity of Queensland (UQ)Australian Research Council (ARC)University of QueenslandARC Discovery ProjectDECRAAustralian Research Councile202400937https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11632563biostudies-literatureUnknown17(23)Carbon nitride photocatalysts are among the most studied candidates for efficient solar hydrogen (H₂) production due to their abundance of precursors, suitable bandgap, and visible light utilization. However, the polymeric nature of carbon nitride materials raises concerns regarding the self-decomposition during photocatalytic redox processes. Yet, the operational stability of carbon nitride photocatalysts for solar H₂ production remains under-explored. Here we evaluate the photostability of carbon nitride photocatalysts with platinum (Pt) as the co-catalyst for solar H₂ evolution and significant deactivation of this photocatalyst is observed under'accelerated' testing conditions. It is demonstrated that the detachment of the Pt co-catalyst on the surface of carbon nitride is the major reason for this deactivation, which can be attributed to a synergistic effect of photo-corrosion and mechanical stirring. The photo-corrosion weakens the interfacial bonding between carbon nitride and Pt co-catalyst, while continuous collisions from the mechanical stirring promote the detachment of co-catalysts from the surface of carbon nitride. These understandings provide insights into the rational design of photocatalysts and photocatalytic systems for improved operational stability.ChemSusChem'Accelerated' Deactivation of Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst for Solar Hydrogen Evolution.PMC11632563DE220101190DP230100621FL1901001392022002231Lyu MXiao MWang ZWang Lfalse'Accelerated' Deactivation of Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst for Solar Hydrogen Evolution.Carbon nitride photocatalysts are among the most studied candidates for efficient solar hydrogen (H₂) production due to their abundance of precursors, suitable bandgap, and visible light utilization. However, the polymeric nature of carbon nitride materials raises concerns regarding the self-decomposition during photocatalytic redox processes. Yet, the operational stability of carbon nitride photocatalysts for solar H₂ production remains under-explored. Here we evaluate the photostability of carbon nitride photocatalysts with platinum (Pt) as the co-catalyst for solar H₂ evolution and significant deactivation of this photocatalyst is observed under'accelerated' testing conditions. It is demonstrated that the detachment of the Pt co-catalyst on the surface of carbon nitride is the major reason for this deactivation, which can be attributed to a synergistic effect of photo-corrosion and mechanical stirring. The photo-corrosion weakens the interfacial bonding between carbon nitride and Pt co-catalyst, while continuous collisions from the mechanical stirring promote the detachment of co-catalysts from the surface of carbon nitride. These understandings provide insights into the rational design of photocatalysts and photocatalytic systems for improved operational stability.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2025-04-04T01:20:31.248Z2025-04-04T01:20:31.248ZS-EPMC116325633886567910.1002/cssc.202400937