Ultrathin graphitic C3N4 nanofibers: Hydrolysis-driven top-down rapid synthesis and application as a novel fluorosensor for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of Fe3+

Ultrathin graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4) nanofibers about 5–10 nm in diameters have been rapidly prepared via alkali-catalyzed hydrolysis of bulk g-C3N4 in concentrated alkaline aqueous solution. The morphologies of the g-C3N4 nanostructures can be facilely controlled by varying reaction time, and a scissoring mechanism is proposed to explain the formation process involved. The g-C3N4 nanofibers can serve as a novel fluorosensor for rapid Fe3+ detection with high sensitivity and selectivity.