Well-crystallized nitrogen-rich graphitic carbon nitride nanocrystallites prepared via solvothermal route at low temperature

A solvothermal method has been successfully applied to prepare crystalline carbon nitride from C3N3Cl3 and NaN3 in CCl4 at 180 °C without any catalyst. The final product was a reddish brown powder. X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that the prepared powder was well-crystallized graphitic carbon nitride. The atomic N/C ratio determined by combustion method was 1.63, indicating a high nitrogen concentration. XPS and FTIR studies showed that graphite-like sp2 bonded structure existed in the sample. Nanometer scale spherical particles and crinkly lamellas were found in the TEM morphologies.