Template-directed synthesis of highly ordered nanoporous graphitic carbon nitride through polymerization of cyanamide

The fabrication of well-ordered nanoporous graphitic carbon nitride by condensation of cyanamide (CN-NH₂) as a molecular precursor using a colloidal silica crystalline array as a template is described. The resulting sample exhibited a three-dimensionally extended highly ordered pore array as shown by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen isotherms. The carbon nitride structure revealed high graphitic nature with C₃N₄ stoichiometry. In particular, the C₃N₄ network structure consists of tri-s-triazine rings (C₆N₇) cross-linked by trigonal N atoms.