Laser pyrolysis of carbon-nitrogen gas-phase compounds: An attempted approach to carbon nitride formation Original Research Article

We describe the possibility to synthesize carbon nitride fine powder by laser pyrolysis of acetylene/nitrous oxide/ammonia mixtures. The powders were produced in a flow reactor by varying the relative concentrations of the sensitizers (SF6C2H4). The kinetics of the reaction was monitored by IR spectrophotometry of the exhaust gases. The powder crystallinity and bond structure was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and IR transmission spectrometry, respectively. The majority of XRD data suggests the presence of the predicted α- and β-C3N4 structures, with a concentration depending on starting conditions. The presence of CN bonded phases seems relevant. Under the present conditions, the slight contamination of powders by SF6 decomposition products could not be avoided.