Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) possesses good physical and chemical stability, suitable band structure and efficient visible light response, which has attracted numerous attention for photocatalytic applications. As heterogeneous catalyst, high surface area can provide abundant reaction sites, increase contact between reactants and catalyst, and enhance mass transfer, which are beneficial for catalytic efficiency enhancement. This review focuses on the preparation and photocatalytic applications of g-C3N4 with high surface area. Two major strategies are reviewed, which are template method for porous g-C3N4 preparation and exfoliation for thin-layer g-C3N4 nanosheet preparation. In addition, the photocatalytic applications of g-C3N4 are introduced. Finally, the prospective of g-C3N4 is described.
