Issue 11, 2011

Mesoporous carbon nitride–silica composites by a combined sol–gel/thermal condensation approach and their application as photocatalysts

Abstract

Mesoporous carbon nitrides, silicas and their composites have been prepared by a combined sol–gel and thermal condensation approach. Precursors for the carbon nitride (cyanamide) and silica (TEOS) are mixed and condensed simultaneously. After condensation and heat treatment it is observed that the carbon nitride and silica formed highly interpenetrating mesophases which leads either to the formation of mesoporous carbon nitride or silica after selective removal of one of the phases. Importantly, the carbon nitride preserves its graphitic stacking even in the spatial confinement introduced by the surrounding silica phase. As both precursors are liquids this approach allows convenient shaping into thin and thick films or monoliths of mesoporous carbon nitrides. Enhanced photocatalytic activity is observed for the production of hydrogen from water when these mesoporous carbon nitrides are applied as photocatalyst in comparison to the bulk, but also to other mesoporous carbon nitrides, prepared by the reported two-step, hard templating approach.

Graphical abstract: Mesoporous carbon nitride–silica composites by a combined sol–gel/thermal condensation approach and their application as photocatalysts

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jul 2011
Accepted
31 Aug 2011
First published
07 Oct 2011

Energy Environ. Sci., 2011,4, 4668-4674

Mesoporous carbon nitride–silica composites by a combined sol–gel/thermal condensation approach and their application as photocatalysts

K. Kailasam, J. D. Epping, A. Thomas, S. Losse and H. Junge, Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, 4, 4668 DOI: 10.1039/C1EE02165F

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