Hydrothermal treatment in HNO3 aqueous solution is adopted to modify g-C3N4.
Treated g-C3N4 exhibits enhanced adsorption and photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI).
Hydrothermal treatment conditions affect the structure and performance of g-C3N4.
Reasons for improved performance of treated g-C3N4 are discussed.
Different photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction mechanisms over g-C3N4 and treated g-C3N4.