Key Words:QUANTUM DOTS; PHOTOLUMINESCENCE; PHOTOCATALYSTS; CONDENSATION; POLYMER; PHASE; NMR

Abstract:Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is a promising semiconductor material with diverse applications. It is typically synthesized by thermally polymerizing nitrogen-carbon precursors, like melamine or urea, at elevated temperatures (typically similar to 550 degrees C). However, the high energy consumption associated with these methods poses challenges for scalable and sustainable production. Here we develop a functional group engineering to boost the thermal polymerization reaction to produce g-CN at low temperature. When the functional groups phenyl (-Ph), methyl (-CH3), and chlorine (-Cl) substitute the amino (-NH2) group in melamine, the electron density in the triazine ring decreases progressively due to the electron-donating/withdrawing effect. Therefore, the bond energy of -C 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 11111111 00000000 11111111 00000000 00000000 00000000 N- and the stability of the triazine unit would be weakened, consequently boosting the ring-opening reaction. Multiple structural characterization processes confirm that as the withdrawing ability of the functional group increases, the synthesis temperatures of g-CN reduce from about 550 to 300 degrees C. Our work provides new insights and practical strategies for the sustainable, low-energy synthesis of g-CN, advancing its potential for broader applications.

Volume:27

Issue:15

Translation or Not:no