Large scale production of novel g-C₃N₄ micro strings with high surface area and versatile photodegradation ability

An easy, scalable and environmentally benign chemical method has been developed to synthesize micro strings of graphitic-C₃N₄ (msg-C₃N₄) through pre-treatment of melamine with HNO ₃ in alkaline solvent at low temperature. This methodology results in a unique string type morphology of msg-C₃N₄ with higher surface area. These msg-C₃N₄ micro strings were used as a photocatalyst under visible light for photodegradation of rhodamine B, methyl blue and methyl orange. The msg-C₃N₄ shows enhanced photodegradation efficiency due to its high surface area and favourable bandgap. The first order rate constant for msg-C₃N₄ was measured which confirms the higher performance of msg-C₃N₄ in comparison to other reported materials such as g-C₃N₄, Fe₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ and TiO₂ nanotubes. Thus, the method developed here is favourable for the synthesis of materials with higher surface area and unique morphology, which are favourable for high photodegradation activity.