Triazine‐Based Graphitic Carbon Nitride: a Two‐Dimensional Semiconductor

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride has been predicted to be structurally analogous to carbon‐only graphite, yet with an inherent bandgap. We have grown, for the first time, macroscopically large crystalline thin films of triazine‐based, graphitic carbon nitride (TGCN) using an ionothermal, interfacial reaction starting with the abundant monomer dicyandiamide. The films consist of stacked, two‐dimensional (2D) crystals between a few and several hundreds of atomic layers in thickness. Scanning force and transmission electron microscopy show long‐range, in‐plane order, while optical spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations corroborate a direct bandgap between 1.6 and 2.0 eV. Thus TGCN is of interest for electronic devices, such as field‐effect transistors and light‐emitting diodes.

Challenges in calculating the bandgap of triazine-based carbon nitride structures

“…10,32 The present discussion focuses on the scGW data, which we consider the most reliable. Nevertheless, we also comment on the "stability" of the observed trends as a function of the theoretical method.…”

Mechanical and structural properties of graphene-like carbon nitride sheets

“…However, bidimensional CN structures have not been thoroughly investigated, in spite of their very promising mechanical and electronic properties. 20,[20][21][22][23] Questions about the actual synthesis of the carbon nitride graphitic phase still remain, however some evidence of its synthesis have been reported, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] while the synthesis of its polymeric phase (called melon) is well documented. 31,32 These materials are porous, low-density, hard, chemically inert, biocompatible structures, 33 with unusual optical and electronic properties.…”

“…31,32 These materials are porous, low-density, hard, chemically inert, biocompatible structures, 33 with unusual optical and electronic properties. 28,29,34,35 These properties can be, in principle, exploited in a large class of technological applications.…”

Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets-enhanced chemiluminescence of luminol for sensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

“…Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), a typical semiconductor, is known for its applications in photoelectrocatalysis, and oxygen reduction and evolution [12].…”

“…Nevertheless, these sensing systems still have some drawbacks, including the multi-steps preparation process of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the toxicity of QDs, and the instability of MOF. Therefore, it is an urgent need to explore novel materials or agents for the detection of TNT.Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), a typical semiconductor, is known for its applications in photoelectrocatalysis, and oxygen reduction and evolution [12].It can be simply prepared via polymerizing nitrogen-rich precursors (melamine, thiourea, urea, and dicyan-diamide) [13][14][15][16]. Compared with bulk g-C 3 N 4 , g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets with nanoscale and atomic-scale thickness can form stable suspension, and have a strong photoluminenscence activity [17].…”