Confined reaction inside nanotubes: New approach to mesoporous g-C3N4 photocatalysts

Mesoporous g-C3N4 nanorods (NRs) are synthesized through the nano-confined thermal condensation of cyanamide in silica nanotubes (NTs) with porous shells. The gas bubbles retained during condensation and the limited cyanamide precursor inside the silica NTs lead to the formation of mesoporous g-C3N4. This nano-confined reaction is an alternative method to the traditional templating process for the synthesis of mesoporous materials. The as-prepared mesoporous g-C3N4 NRs exhibit remarkably improved photocatalytic activity and high stability in water splitting and degradation of Rhodamine B compared with bulk g-C3N4.