Carbon nitrides: A challenge for the solid state chemist?

Abstract

Materials containing light elements and characterized by a dense structure present specific physico-chemical properties.

The carbonitrides C_xN_y, and in particular C₃N₄, have attracted the attention of the scientific community during these last ten years.

The main chemical problem in the synthesis of such materials is to introduce nitrogen into the lattice, due to the strong stability of N₂.

In order to prevent nitrogen loss, the use of high pressures and the selection of nitriding media can be developed.

The present contribution describes the main results obtained through two routes:

(i) the thermal decomposition of precursors containing carbon and nitrogen under high pressure conditions (2-6GPa) (without or with nitrogen solvent)

(ii) the high pressure condensation of “organic” precursors containing carbon and nitrogen.

Key Words:

• Carbon nitrides
• Synthesis
• High pressure