Modulation of the crystallinity of hydrogenated nitrogen-rich graphitic carbon nitrides

An hydrogenated nitrogen-rich graphitic carbon nitride, structurally related to the theoretical graphitic phase of C3N4, has been synthesized in a bulk well-crystallized form. This new material was prepared by thermal decomposition of thiosemicarbazide up to 600 °C at ambient pressure under nitrogen flow. Its composition was determined by elemental combustion analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and C13 MAS NMR characterizations were performed. This material can be schematically described with a two-dimensional framework and a composition close to C3N4.17H1.12. In this nitrogen-rich material, C3N3 voids are fully occupied by water molecules which are strongly trapped into the material. A loss of crystallinity associated with a modification of the thermal behavior is observed when the amount of trapped molecules decreases in the graphitic material, order being damaged both between and in the graphitic planes.