Fabrication of carbon nitride nanotubes by a simple water-induced morphological transformation process and their efficient visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Carbon nitride nanotubes (C₃N₄ NTs) were synthesized based on the nanosheets roll-up mechanism by a simple water-induced morphological transformation process using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as a precursor. Water was used as the phase-transfer reagent, making the preparation process environmentally friendly. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared C₃N₄ NTs significantly increased compared to bulk g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄ nanosheets toward rhodamine B degradation and hydrogen evolution from water-splitting. This result can be attributed to the high photogenerated carrier transfer efficiency, excellent mass transfer capability, sufficient active sites, and enhanced light utilization efficiency of C₃N₄ NTs.