A new type of N-isopropyl acrylamide/high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose/graphite carbon nitride (NIPAAm/HHPC/g-C3N4) smart hydrogel-based photocatalyst with thermally driven characteristic was successfully prepared by electron beam pre-radiation polymerization and radiation cross-linking methods. The agglomeration and loss of g-C3N4 nanosheets can be avoided effectively, and ensured high photocatalytic activity under visible light, once the g-C3N4 nanosheets are uniformly dispersed into the skeleton of a thermosensitive NIPAAm/HHPC hydrogel. NIPAAm/HHPC/g-C3N4 (NHC) hydrogel was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform...