Embedding Carbon Nitride into a Covalent Organic Framework with Enhanced Photocatalysis Performance

Abstract

We report a new strategy to construct porous carbon nitride (PCN) by embedding a heptazine unit-the primary building block of carbon nitride-into the backbone of a covalent organic framework (COF). The strategy results in a new type of PCN which bears a fibrous morphology, high surface area and wide visible absorption. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by photodegradation of an organic dye. We found that the introduction of the heptazine unit has a prominent effect on the catalytic activity, which demonstrates an effective strategy to prepare carbon nitride materials. This work opens up a new way for the preparation of carbon nitride for photocatalysis applications.