Polymeric Carbon Nitride Tubular Sponges with Edge Functionalized Phosphonic Groups for Photocatalysis.

A unique polymeric carbon nitride (CN) tubular sponge with an edge-functionalized phosphonic group (CNPC) has been obtained using a simple template-free method. Using phenylphosphonic acid as an additive promotes the formation of a cyanuric acid–melamine supramolecular precursor. Meanwhile, phosphonic groups are grafted to heptazine units. Experimental and characterization investigations reveal that the functional phosphonic group and tubular sponge morphology endow CNPCx with additional reaction active sites, negative conduction band levels, and highly efficient charge separation. The obtained CNPCx photocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic performance with regard to H2 evolution and contaminant degradation. This study provides a new design based on the synergetic regulating effect of macro and microstructures of CN with high performance in energy conversion and environmental purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]