Innovative Synthesis and Advancement Strategies for GCN as Supercapacitor Electrodes: A Comprehensive Review Revealing New Insights

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (GCN), a graphite-like material composed of aromatic tri-s-triazine units, has recently gained recognition as a promising candidate for supercapacitor electrode applications. Its abundant availability, metal-free composition, high nitrogen content, and responsiveness to environmental conditions make GCN a highly attractive material for energy storage solutions. Despite this potential, challenges remain in optimizing its specific capacity and energy density. This review stands out by comprehensively analyzing various GCN synthesis methods such as hydrothermal, solvothermal, and sol–gel techniques and critically examining how these methods influence electrochemical performance. A particular focus is placed on identifying optimal synthesis techniques through a detailed comparison of their impact on key functional parameters. This review differentiates from previous studies’ in-depth exploration of advanced strategies to enhance GCN’s electrochemical properties. Specifically, the review delves into innovative approaches like element doping and hybridization with polymers, metals, and carbon-based materials, offering new pathways to significantly boost the performance of GCN electrodes. These cutting-edge strategies have not been systematically explored in other reviews, positioning this article as a forward-thinking contribution to the field. In addition, the review takes a broader, interdisciplinary approach by examining GCN’s functionality in other applications, such as water splitting, and identifying critical commonalities between the functional parameters of these applications and those of supercapacitors. This cross-application analysis, rarely addressed in previous literature, opens new avenues for GCN development, suggesting that insights from related fields can accelerate the optimization of GCN as a supercapacitor electrode. By emphasizing the innovative combination of element doping and metal-based hybridization, this review offers a novel perspective on advancing GCN technology. It also addresses current challenges and provides practical recommendations, making it a pivotal resource for future breakthroughs in energy storage and related applications.