Photoactive carbon nitride from melamine hydrochloride supramolecular assembly

The formation of a supramolecular assembly of melamine and chlorine and its use as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) precursor is shown. We studied the effect of the HCl on the morphology, chemical and photophysical properties of the starting supramolecular assembly up to the final g-C3N4, calcined at 550 degrees C. We found that the HCl altered the crystal structure and morphology of the starting precursor due to better arrangement of the melamine units. The HCl-g-C3N4 demonstrates higher photoactivity toward the hydrogen production from water compared to the pristine one thanks to higher surface area along with better light harvesting and charge separation properties. This work opens new opportunities for rational design of new photocatalysts for environmental and energy-related applications.