One-step template/chemical blowing route to synthesize flake-like porous carbon nitride photocatalyst

Abstract A facile one-step approach was employed to synthesize porous g-C 3 N 4 flake (PCNF) via thermally polymerizing melamine with the presence of MgCO 3 template. CO 2 gas released from the decomposition of MgCO 3 prohibited the further polymerization of CN framework and separated the CN layers to produce a flake-like morphology, and meanwhile the removal of MgO nanoparticles resulted in a porous structure. The resultant PCNF exhibited enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for degrading organic dyes, and its rate constant is ∼4 times higher than that of bulky CN. What is more, this material presented an excellent stability and superior universality for various pollutants.