Electrophoretic deposition of supramolecular complexes for the formation of carbon nitride films

Abstract

The large-scale fabrication of polymeric carbon nitride (CN) films with tunable thickness, composition and photoelectrochemical properties is reported. To do so, we deposited supramolecular complexes as seeding layers prior to a thermal deposition of melamine vapor. The seeding layer is successfully formed by employing electrophoretic deposition of the supramolecular complexes on conductive substrates. The CN films exhibit good photoelectrochemical activity due to strong adhesion to the substrate, which allows a fast electron transfer and hole extraction to the electrolyte.