Selective charge transfer to dioxygen on KPF6-modified carbon nitride for photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2 under visible light

•The photocatalytic production of H2O2 was markedly enhanced by the incorporation of KPF6 into the carbon nitride (CN) structure.•The highest quantum yields of the production of H2O2 were achieved using KPF6-modified CN (35.9% and 24.3% at 370 and 420 nm, respectively).•KPF6-modified CN exhibited markedly high selectivity for two-electron reduction of O2 to produce H2O2.•The present catalytic system consisting of earth-abundant elements utilizes only visible light and dioxygen without using any noble metal catalysts.