Photocatalytic water splitting using solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel is a sustainable energy solution. However, the slow kinetics of electron-hole pairs limit efficiency. Researchers from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology and Zhejiang Ocean University developed nitrogen-rich carbon nitride nanosheets to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production. By creating high-crystallinity HC-C3N5 nanosheets, they achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 3.01 mmol h−1 g−1, surpassing bulk C3N5 by 3.27 times. The study emphasized the significance of electron traps and reactive centers in improving charge separation dynamics. The nanosheets demonstrated macroscopic photoinduced color changes, broadening the absorption spectrum and increasing exciton generation. Moreover, the identification of potential electron capture sites helped decipher complex reaction kinetics, leading to better charge separation during hydrogen production. These findings were published in the Advanced Powder Materials journal, contributing to advancements in sustainable energy research.