Structure and stability of carbon nitrides: ring opening induced photoelectrochemical degradation

TL;DR

This study investigates the structural stability of polymeric carbon nitrides under photoelectrochemical conditions, revealing their degradation at high overpotentials, which impacts their suitability for solar energy applications.

Contribution

It provides detailed characterization of carbon nitrides' structure and stability, highlighting their degradation mechanisms during photoelectrochemical processes.

Findings

Polymeric carbon nitrides are prepared via thermal polycondensation of melamine.

Structural and morphological degradation occurs at high overpotentials.

The electron band structure is fully characterized through combined electrochemical and optoelectronic methods.

Abstract

A constant increase in the need of clean energy demands more innovation from the research community. Active and stable materials that can make use of the solar radiation to promote different reactions are the cornerstone of emerging technologies. Polymeric carbon nitrides that harvest solar radiation to drive electrochemical reactions are considered solid candidates. In this respect, polymeric carbon nitrides were prepared by the thermal polycondensation of melamine. As-obtained materials were characterized by synchrotron radiation and lab-based techniques. The electron band structure was fully characterized by a combined electrochemical optoelectronic study. Electron microscopy studies before and after the photoelectrochemical experiments showed morphological and structure degradation. The work at-hand concludes that polymeric carbon nitrides are prone to photoelectrochemical degradation at high overpotentials.