Photoactive Carbon Nitride Polymers Synthesized at Solvents Interface

The supramolecular polymerization at liquid-liquid interface has been developed for the synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) precursors. Supramolecular complexes are normally prepared in a homogenous medium, which requires the monomers to be dissolved in the same solvent. The synthesis of supramolecular structures in the interface between two solvents allows the interaction of two non-miscible solvents which can provide novel interactions and morphologies. In this work we show the utilization of a hydrogen bonded framework prepared in the interface between two solvents as precursor for the carbon nitride synthesis. The final materials display enhanced surface area and a beneficial electronic band structure for the hydrogen evolution reaction, reaching up to 4% quantum yield as well as remarkable dye photodegradation performance. To the best of our knowledge, this approach was not used yet for the synthesis of CN based materials. Therefore, we envision that this approach may provide a new and facile method to fabricate g-C₃N₄ with controlled compositions and structures which will be applicable for photo-catalysis, electro-catalysis, sensing and imaging.