Large scale production of novel g-C3N4 micro strings with high surface area and versatile photodegradation ability

An easy, scalable and environmentally benign chemical method has been developed to synthesize micro strings of graphitic-C3N4 (msg-C3N4) through pre-treatment of melamine with HNO 3 in alkaline solvent at low temperature. This methodology results in a unique string type morphology of msg-C3N4 with higher surface area. These msg-C3N4 micro strings were used as a photocatalyst under visible light for photodegradation of rhodamine B, methyl blue and methyl orange. The msg-C3N4 shows enhanced photodegradation efficiency due to its high surface area and favourable bandgap. The first order rate constant for msg-C3N4 was measured which confirms the higher performance of msg-C3N4 in comparison to other reported materials such as g-C3N4, Fe2O3/g-C3N4 and TiO2 nanotubes. Thus, the method developed here is favourable for the synthesis of materials with higher surface area and unique morphology, which are favourable for high photodegradation activity. The Royal Society of Chemistry.