LAUSR

Abstract Efficient photocatalytic selective conversion of organic under mild condition remains challengeable for green chemistry. In this work, we determined that nitrogen vacancies (NVs) in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) could enhance photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The as-prepared N-deficient g-C3N4 samples (CNx) exhibited superior conversion efficiency and excellent product selectivity than pristine g-C3N4 upon visible light irradiation. By combining experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations, the NVs in g-C3N4 could significantly boost carrier separation and act as specific sites to enhance the adsorption and activation of reactants. Thus, our work could provide insight into the pathways of reaction between defects and reactants, and point out a feasible strategy for green fine chemical production.