Foreword

“Catalytic Applications of Carbon Nitride-Based Nanomaterials,” edited by Professors Vijai Kumar Rai, Manorama Singh, and Ankita Rai, is an admirable compilation of scientific knowledge on various aspects of synthesis, modification, functionalization, and chemical and electrochemical applications of graphitic-carbon nitride-based nanocatalytic systems. Carbon-nitride-based nanomaterials – most notably graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) – are metal-free two-dimensional polymeric semiconductors with potential applications in electronic, catalytic, and energy sectors. Composed entirely of earth-abundant elements, these nanomaterials have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. This is because of their exceptional thermal and chemical stability, unique electronic band structures, biocompatibility, metal-free nature, and sustainable and cost-effective synthesis. These nanomaterials are widely used for green technologies such as visible-light-driven photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and biomedical applications. However, while promising, the pristine g-C₃N₄ suffers from a low surface area and limited charge-carrier mobility. To overcome these limitations, researchers have adopted several strategies to modify g-C₃N₄ and enhance its physico-chemical properties and photocatalytic efficiency. For instance, g-C₃N₄ has been modified via heterojunction formation (i.e., coupling g-C₃N₄ with other semiconductors to improve electron-hole pair separation), doping (i.e., incorporation of non-metals or metals, to enhance catalytic activity, and nanostructuring (i.e., fabricating quantum dots or porous nanosheets to increase active surface area). Enhanced awareness, education, and research on such a new class of catalytically functional nanomaterials are indeed a desideratum today. In this context, this book is of great significance. I commend the editors and the authors for their efforts in presenting this book.

The narrative of the book, comprising eleven chapters, is built on sustainable chemistry, enabling efficient photocatalytic chemical reactions for the synthesis of a wide range of organic molecules, oxidation and reduction reactions, and developing electrochemical sensors for efficient detection of environmentally hazardous molecules. All the chapters are written with great acumen and perspectives of several learned authors, with expertise and experience in the chemistry of g-C₃N₄ -based nanomaterials. This book is a pleasure to read, in part because it gives a concise yet clear description of the subject matter, together with other aspects germane to the development of photo-nanocatalysis for sustainable design and development of a wide range of molecules and electroanalytical tools.

The learned authors have compiled useful scientific information on various aspects of synthesis, structure, and physico-chemical properties of g-C₃N₄ -based nanocatalytic materials, with a focus on their photocatalytic applications in organic synthesis and electrochemical sensor design and development. The book provides an insightful analysis of present-day scenarios and future prospects. In doing so, the authors have discussed ideas and observations of many researchers. The authors have discussed the matter in reasonable detail, and various aspects of the subject are illustrated by suitable examples of reactions and synthetic transformations together with figures and mechanisms, where appropriate and necessary. At the end of each chapter, the authors have included pertinent references on the scientific matters discussed. This will facilitate easy access to several relevant references and will prove of considerable value to students, teachers, and researchers alike.

The topics discussed in the book will surely sensitize and promote new thinking among researchers with an interest in g-C₃N₄ -based systems and their photocatalytic applications. With the kind of research advancements made in recent years, as evident from the material covered in this book, it can be safely said that the coming years are destined to witness further development of this area with much greater stride and novelty. More and more new imperatives and vistas are expected to be discovered and developed, which are pivotal to further developing this fascinating area of interest to many researchers across several disciplines of science and technology.

For this book, the editors and the authors deserve the heartfelt thanks of the community of students, teachers, and researchers in chemistry and allied disciplines for their commendable efforts in making this book available on a subject of much current interest. I congratulate the editors and the authors and convey my best wishes to them and all the readers.