From Millimeter to Subnanometer: Vapor–Solid Deposition of Carbon Nitride Hierarchical Nanostructures Directed by Supramolecular Assembly

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

5 years ago

From Millimeter to Subnanometer: Vapor–Solid Deposition of Carbon Nitride Hierarchical Nanostructures Directed by Supramolecular Assembly

Shaowen Cao, Menny Shalom, Xiaofei Yang, Hong Wang, Jingsan Xu, Jiaguo Yu, Chao Zhang

Shape and nanostructure control has great potential to enable graphitic carbon nitride (C3N4) structures with new properties and functionalities. In this work, a new type of hierarchically structured nanoporous C3N4 is introduced. The C3N4 exhibits unique, edelweiss-like morphology, with components ranging from millimeter-sized bunches to subnanometer-thick layers. A one-step vapor–solid deposition approach using supramolecular aggregates as the precursor is carried out to accomplish the growth. Supramolecular pre-association plays a crucial role in achieving this nanostructure by directing the vaporization and deposition processes. Furthermore, very small C3N4 quantum dots can be readily acquired by bath sonication of the thin layers in water. The supramolecular preorganization growth strategy developed herein may provide a general methodology in the design of advanced photoelectric materials with broad applications in energy conversion and storage. Blossom of snow blooms and grows: A new type of hierarchically structured, edelweiss-like nanoporous C3N4 is introduced, with components ranging from millimeter-sized bunches to subnanometer-thick layers. Growth is achieved using a vapor–solid approach through the directing effect of the supramolecular assembly precursors. Moreover, C3N4 quantum dots can be readily acquired by bath sonication of the parent thin layers in water.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/anie.201611946