Carbonyl‐Grafted g‐C3N4 Porous Nanosheets for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Carbonyl‐grafted g‐C₃N₄ porous nanosheets (COCNPNS) were fabricated by means of a two‐step thermal process using melamine and oxalic acid as starting reagents. The combination of melamine with oxalic acid to form a melamine–oxalic acid supramolecule as a precursor is key to synthesizing carbonyl‐grafted g‐C₃N₄. The bulk carbonyl‐grafted g‐C₃N₄ (COCN) was further thermally etched onto porous nanosheets by O₂ under air. In such a process, the carbonyl groups were partly removed and the obtained sample showed remarkably enhanced visible‐light harvesting and promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes. With its unique porous structure and enhanced light‐harvesting capability, under visible‐light illumination (λ >420 nm) the prepared COCNPNS exhibited a superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 83.6 μmol h⁻¹, which is 26 times that of the p‐CN obtained directly from thermal polycondensation of melamine.     

Facile one‐step synthesis of broken case‐like carbon‐doped g‐C3N4 for photocatalytic degradation of benzene

Herein, a novel broken case‐like carbon‐doped g‐C₃N₄ photocatalyst was obtained via a facile one‐pot pyrolysis and cost‐effective method using glyoxal‐modified melamine as a precursor. The obtained carbon/g‐C₃N₄ photocatalyst showed remarkable enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of gaseous benzene compared with that of pristine g‐C₃N₄ under visible light. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant for gaseous benzene degradation on carbon/g‐C₃N₄ was 0.186 hr^?1, 5.81 times as large as that of pristine g‐C₃N₄. Furthermore, a possible photocatalytic mechanism for the improved photocatalytic performance over carbon/g‐C₃N₄ nanocomposites was proposed.     

Direct Synthesis of Porous Nanorod‐Type Graphitic Carbon Nitride/CuO Composite from Cu–Melamine Supramolecular Framework towards Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

Facile and direct synthesis of porous nanorod‐type graphitic carbon nitride/CuO composite ( CuO‐g‐C₃N₄ ) has been achieved by using a Cu–melamine supramolecular framework as a precursor. The CuO‐g‐C₃N₄ nanocomposite demonstrated improved visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic activities. The results indicate that metal–melamine supramolecular frameworks can be promising precursors for the preparation of efficient g ‐C₃N₄ nanocomposite photocatalysts.     

Formation of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Heptazine Framework by Self‐Assembly of Melem into a Hexagonal Channel Structure

Self‐assembly of melem C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ in hot aqueous solution leads to the formation of hydrogen‐bonded, hexagonal rosettes of melem units surrounding infinite channels with a diameter of 8.9 Å. The channels are filled with strongly disordered water molecules, which are bound to the melem network through hydrogen bonds. Single‐crystals of melem hydrate C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ ? xH₂O (x≈2.3) were obtained by hydrothermal treatment of melem at 200 °C and the crystal structure (R $\bar 3$ c, a=2879.0(4), c=664.01(13) pm, V=4766.4(13)×10⁶ pm³, Z=18) was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. With respect to the structural similarity to the well‐known adduct between melamine and cyanuric acid, the composition of the obtained product was further analyzed by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Hydrolysis of melem to cyameluric acid during syntheses at elevated temperatures could thus be ruled out. DTA/TG studies revealed that, during heating of melem hydrate, water molecules can be removed from the channels of the structure to a large extent. The solvent‐free framework is stable up to 430 °C without transforming into the denser structure of anhydrous melem. Dehydrated melem hydrate was further characterized by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and sorption measurements to investigate structural changes induced by the removal of water from the channels. During dehydration, the hexagonal, layered arrangement of melem units is maintained whereas the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between melem entities requires the stacking mode of hexagonal layers to be altered. It is assumed that layers are shifted perpendicular to the direction of the channels, thereby making them inaccessible for guest molecules.     

Three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework in bis(melamin‐1‐ium) naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate melamine pentahydrate

Crystals of the title compound, 2C₃H₇N₆⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·C₃H₆N₆·5H₂O, are built up of neutral 2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine (melamine), singly protonated melaminium cations, naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate dianions and water molecules. Two independent anions lie across centres of inversion in the space group P. The melamine molecules are connected by N—H...N hydrogen bonds into two different one‐dimensional polymers almost parallel to the (010) plane, forming a stacking structure along the b axis. The centrosymmetric naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate anions interact with water molecules via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the (001) plane. The cations and anions are connected by N—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework.     

四（对叔丁基）硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性包合四氟硼酸分子：晶体结构和理论研究

X－射线晶体衍射测定了4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性地包合四氟硼酸分子。晶体学数据为：C₄₀H₄₉O₄S₄BF₄，M_r=808.88， 四方锥， 空间群 P4/nmm，a=1.5887(2), b=1.5887(2), c=0.8428(0) nm, V=2.127(2) nm³, Z=2, D_c=1.263 g·cm^-3, R₁=0.0405, _WR[I>2σ(I)]=0.1218. ¹⁹F NMR谱中，在-151.4 ppm处出现的峰，证实了四氟硼酸的存在。用Bader的分子中的原子理论方法计算了分子结构中的非共价键相互作用。结果显示，在四氟硼酸包合物中，除了F…H－C氢键作用和阳离子－阴离子的静电作用外，F^δ--C^δ+静电作用的存在也对4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃憎水空腔包合氟硼酸分子起到了稳定作用。     

Achieving Efficient Incorporation of π‐Electrons into Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Markedly Improved Hydrogen Generation

A rapid and highly efficient strategy for introducing C into g‐C₃N₄ involves copolymerizing π‐electron‐rich barbituric acid with melamine via a facile microwave‐assisted heating, thereby eliminating the issues in conventional electric furnace heating, such as the severe volatilization, owing to the mismatch of the sublimation temperatures of barbituric acid and melamine. The g‐C₃N₄ catalyst after optimizing the C‐doping content actively generates increased amounts of H₂ under visible light exposure with the highest H₂ generation rate of 25.0 μmol h^?1, which is nearly 20 times above that using g‐C₃N₄ produced by conventional electric furnace heating of two identical monomers (1.3 μmol h^?1). As such, the microwave‐assisted heating strategy may stand out as an extremely simple route to incorporating π‐electrons into g‐C₃N₄ with markedly improved photocatalytic performance.     

Chiroptical Helices of N‐Terminal Aryl Amino Acids through Orthogonal Noncovalent Interactions

In the solid state, amino acids (alanine and phenylglycine) with appended pyrene segments self‐assembled into α‐helix‐like structures by asymmetrical H‐bonds between carboxylic acid and amide segments, further inducing supramolecular tilted chirality of the achiral pyrenes. These structures bind melamine and electron‐deficient units through H‐bond and charge‐transfer interactions, respectively. Charge‐transfer interactions enhance the dissymmetry g‐factor of absorption (g_abs; up to 1.4×10^?2) with an extended Cotton effect active region (from 250 to 600 nm). Incorporating melamine inverts the handedness of circularly polarized luminescence and boosts the dissymmetry g‐factor (g_lum). Melamine also induces macroscopic chirality at the nanoscale, whereby the 2D lamellar structures are transformed into 1D helices at the nanoscale, leading to giant tubular structures at the microscale.     

Bis(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine‐κN1)silver(I) nitrate

The title compound, [Ag(C₃H₆N₆)₂]NO₃, has an alternating two‐dimensional bilayer structure supported by extensive hydrogen bonds. The [Ag(melamine)₂]⁺ cationic monomers (melamine is 1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine) are connected via N—H...N hydrogen bonds to form two‐dimensional sheets. Nitrate groups are sandwiched between two sheets through N—H...O hydrogen bonds. An almost perfectly linear coordination geometry is found for the Ag^I ions. The triazine ligands are slightly distorted due to π–π interactions.     

Structure Modification Function of g‐C3N4 for Al2O3 in the In Situ Hydrothermal Process for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Heterojunctions of g‐C₃N₄/Al₂O₃ (g‐C₃N₄=graphitic carbon nitride) are constructed by an in situ one‐pot hydrothermal route based on the development of photoactive γ‐Al₂O₃ semiconductor with a mesoporous structure and a high surface area (188 m²g^?1) acting as electron acceptor. A structure modification function of g‐C₃N₄ for Al₂O₃ in the hydrothermal process is found, which can be attributed to the coordination between unoccupied orbitals of the Al ions and lone‐pair electrons of the N atoms. The as‐synthesized heterojunctions exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity than pure g‐C₃N₄. The hydrogen generation rate and the reaction rate constant for the degradation of methyl orange over 50 % g‐C₃N₄/Al₂O₃ under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm) are 2.5 and 7.3 times, respectively, higher than those over pristine g‐C₃N₄. The enhanced activity of the heterojunctions is attributed to their large specific surface areas, their close contact, and the high interfacial areas between the components as well as their excellent adsorption performance, and efficient charge transfer ability.     

catena‐Poly[[[diaquazinc]‐bis{μ‐N2,N6‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide}] dinitrate]

In the title compound, {[Zn(C₁₉H₁₇N₅O₂)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂}_n, the Zn^II cation is located at an inversion centre within a slightly distorted octahedron, ligated by four N atoms from four N²,N⁶‐bis[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide (L) ligands occupying a plane about the Zn^II atom with the two water O atoms perpendicular to that. In the complex molecule, the bidentate bridging L ligands display helical R and S conformers, and link the Zn^II cations into a one‐dimensional centrosymmetric double‐chain structure containing 32‐membered rings. The nitrate anions reside in these rings and are involved in multiple N—H...O hydrogen‐bond interactions. On excitation at 390 nm, the title compound displays a strong blue emission centred at 449 nm. Investigation of the thermal stability shows that the network structure is stable up to 420 K.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Di-n-butyltin（Ⅳ） Complex with 2-Oxo-propionic Acid （4-Pyridinecarbonyl） Hydrazone

The novel complex di‐n‐butyltin(IV) 2‐oxo‐propionic acid (4‐pyridinecarbonyl) hydrazone, (n‐C₄H₉)₂Sn‐[O₂CC(CH₃)=N‐N=C(‐O)C₅N‐4] (H₂O) has been synthesized and its structure has been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in orthorhombic system with space group Pca2₁. Crystal data: a=2.7540(9) nm, b=0.9676(3) nm, c= 1.5750(5) nm, V=4.197(2) nm³, D_c= 1.444 g/cm³, Z=8. μ= 1.241 mm^?1. F(000)= 1856, R₁=0.0462 and wR₂=0.1001. In the crystals of the title complex, the tin atom is in six‐coordination with a distorted octahedral geometry, three oxygen atoms [O(1), O(3) and O(4)] and one nitrogen atom N(1) forming the equatorial plane and C(10)‐Sn(1)‐C(14) being the axis. Two molecules form a dimer with weak interactions of Sn‐O bonding and hydrogen bonds.     

Carbon Quantum Dot Implanted Graphite Carbon Nitride Nanotubes: Excellent Charge Separation and Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Graphite carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) is a promising candidate for photocatalytic hydrogen production, but only shows moderate activity owing to sluggish photocarrier transfer and insufficient light absorption. Herein, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) implanted in the surface plane of g‐C₃N₄ nanotubes were synthesized by thermal polymerization of freeze‐dried urea and CQDs precursor. The CQD‐implanted g‐C₃N₄ nanotubes (CCTs) could simultaneously facilitate photoelectron transport and suppress charge recombination through their specially coupled heterogeneous interface. The electronic structure and morphology were optimized in the CCTs, contributing to greater visible light absorption and a weakened barrier of the photocarrier transfer. As a result, the CCTs exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance under light irradiation with a high H₂ production rate of 3538.3 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and a notable quantum yield of 10.94 % at 420 nm.     

A Rapid Microwave‐Assisted Thermolysis Route to Highly Crystalline Carbon Nitrides for Efficient Hydrogen Generation

Highly crystalline graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) with decreased structural imperfections benefits from the suppression of electron–hole recombination, which enhances its hydrogen generation activity. However, producing such g‐C₃N₄ materials by conventional heating in an electric furnace has proven challenging. Herein, we report on the synthesis of high‐quality g‐C₃N₄ with reduced structural defects by judiciously combining the implementation of melamine–cyanuric acid (MCA) supramolecular aggregates and microwave‐assisted thermolysis. The g‐C₃N₄ material produced after optimizing the microwave reaction time can effectively generate H₂ under visible‐light irradiation. The highest H₂ evolution rate achieved was 40.5 μmol h⁻¹, which is two times higher than that of a g‐C₃N₄ sample prepared by thermal polycondensation of the same supramolecular aggregates in an electric furnace. The microwave‐assisted thermolysis strategy is simple, rapid, and robust, thereby providing a promising route for the synthesis of high‐efficiency g‐C₃N₄ photocatalysts.     

Melaminium (2‐carboxyethyl)(phenyl)phosphinate monohydrate

Cocrystallization of melamine (1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine, ma) with (2‐carboxyethyl)(phenyl)phosphinic acid (H₂L) from water affords the title compound, C₃H₇N₆⁺·C₉H₁₀O₄P⁻·H₂O or (maH)(HL)·H₂O, (I). The phosphinic acid H atom of each H₂L molecule is transferred to a melamine molecule. Structural analysis reveals that there are two types of secondary building units in the crystal structure, namely cationic [(maH⁺)₂]_∞ ribbons and anionic {[(HL)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻}_∞ layers, the combination of which through hydrogen‐bond and electrostatic interactions, generates a large‐scale two‐dimensional layered structure. The thick layer is sandwich‐like, with the central [(maH⁺)₂]_∞ ribbons being further stabilized by π–π stacking interactions. It is also worthy of note that two conformational isomeric R₆⁵(24) hydrogen‐bond ring motifs can be identified in the {[(HL)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻}_∞ layer.     

Dithieno[2,3‐d:2',3'‐d']benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene (DTBDAT)‐based copolymers for high‐performance organic solar cells

P(BDT‐TCNT) and P(DTBDAT‐TCNT) , which has an extended conjugation length, were designed and synthesized for applications in organic solar cell (OSCs). The solution absorption maxima of P(DTBDAT‐TCNT) with the extended conjugation were red‐shifted by 5–15 nm compared with those of P(BDT‐TCNT) . The optical band gaps and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels of both P(BDT‐TCNT) and P(DTBDAT‐TCNT) were similar. The structure properties of thin films of these materials were characterized using grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy, and charge carrier mobilities were characterized using the space‐charge limited current method. OSCs were formed using [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) as the electron acceptor and 3% diphenylether as additive suppress aggregation. OSCs with P(BDT‐TCNT) as the electron donor exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.10% with a short‐circuit current density of J_SC = 9.06 mA/cm², an open‐circuit voltage of V_OC = 0.77 V, and a fill factor of FF = 0.58. OSCs formed using P(DTBDAT‐TCNT) as the electron donor layer exhibited a PCE of 5.83% with J_SC = 12.2 mA/cm², V_OC = 0.77 V, and FF = 0.62. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3182–3192     

Morphology Tailoring of Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Organosilica Nanohybrids for the Synthesis of Biomass‐Derived Alkyl Levulinates

Morphology evolution of sulfonic acid functionalized organosilica nanohybrids (Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO₃H) with a 1D tubular structure (inner diameter of ca. 5 nm), a 2D hexagonal mesostructure (pore diameter of ca. 5 nm), and a 3D hollow spherical structure (shell thickness of 2–3 nm and inner diameter of ca. 15 nm) was successfully realized through P123‐templated sol–gel cocondensation strategies and fine‐tuning of the acidity followed by aging or a hydrothermal treatment. The Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO₃H nanohybrids were applied in synthesis of alkyl levulinates from the esterification of levulinic acid and ethanolysis of furfural alcohol. Hollow spherical Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO₃H and hexagonal mesoporous analogues exhibited the highest and lowest catalytic activity, respectively, among three types of nanohybrids; additionally, the activity was influenced by the ?SO₃H loading. The activity differences are explained in terms of different Brønsted acid and textural properties, reactant/product diffusion, and mass transfer rate, as well as accessibility of ?SO₃H sites to the reactant molecules. The reusability of the nanohybrids was also evaluated.     

Nature‐Inspired Environmental “Phosphorylation” Boosts Photocatalytic H2 Production over Carbon Nitride Nanosheets under Visible‐Light Irradiation

Inspired by the crucial roles of phosphates in natural photosynthesis, we explored an environmental “phosphorylation” strategy for boosting photocatalytic H₂ production over g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets under visible light. As expected, a substantial improvement was observed in the rate of H₂ evolution to 947 μmol h^?1, and the apparent quantum yield was as high as 26.1 % at 420 nm. The synergy of enhanced proton reduction and improved hole oxidation is proposed to account for the markedly increased activity. Our findings may provide a promising and facile approach to highly efficient photocatalysis for solar‐energy conversion.     

Endowing g‐C3N4 Membranes with Superior Permeability and Stability by Using Acid Spacers

g‐C₃N₄ membranes were modulated by intercalating molecules with SO₃H and benzene moieties between layers. The intercalation molecules break up the tightly stacking structure of g‐C₃N₄ laminates successfully and accordingly the modified g‐C₃N₄ membranes give rise to two orders magnitude higher water permeances without sacrificing the separation efficiency. The sulfonated poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (SPPO)/g‐C₃N₄ with a thickness of 350 nm presents an exceptionally high water permeance of 8867 L h^?1 m^?2 bar^?1 and 100 % rejection towards methyl blue, while the original g‐C₃N₄ membrane with a thickness of 226 nm only exhibits a permeance of 60 L h^?1 m^?2 bar^?1. Simultaneously, SO₃H sites firmly anchor nitrogen with base functionality distributing onto g‐C₃N₄ through acid–base interactions. This enables the nanochannels of g‐C₃N₄ based membranes to be stabilized in acid, basic, and also high‐pressure environments for long periods.     

Synthesis and Characterization of an Unexpected Asymmetric Binuclear Copper（Ⅰ） Complex Containing 4-Vinyl-pyridine

The asymmetric binuclear copper(I) complex [Cu₂(dppm)₂(C₇H₇N)(μ‐HCOO)](NO₃) (dppm=Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂, C₇H₇N=4‐vinyl‐pyridine) has been prepared and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The complex is photoluminescent at room temperature. It crystallizes in triclinic system, space group P‐1 with a= 1.2719(3) nm, b=1.8637(4) nm, c=1.1656(2) nm, a=97.16(3)°, β= 104.94(3)″, γ=89.39(3)°, V=2.648.1(9) nm³, D_c= 1.390 g.m^?3, Z=2, μ=0.974 mm^?1, R=0.0483 for 5716 independently observed reflections with I>2δ(I). The structure consists of [Cu₂(dppm)₂(C₇H₇N)(μ‐HCOO)]⁺cations and nitrate anions. The copper atoms show different coordination modes: Cu(1) displays a distorted trigonal and Cu(2) a tetrahedred geometry.