A solvothermal synthetic route to prepare polycrystalline carbon nitride

A novel solvothermal reaction of 1,3,5-trichlorotriazine (C3N3Cl3) and lithium nitride (Li3N) using benzene as the solvent has been carried out to prepare carbon nitride at 350°C and less than about 5 MPa. The composition and chemical bonding of the powders have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron diffraction reveal that the powders have a polycrystalline structure. The diffraction data match the calculated values for β-C3N4, suggesting that the structure of the C–N crystallites is that of β-C3N4.