Triazine-based graphitic carbon nitride: controllable synthesis and enhanced cataluminescent sensing for formic acid

A novel preparation method of triazine-based graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and its application in the cataluminescence (CTL) sensing system is proposed in the present work. Netty triazine-based g-C₃N₄ were synthesized via a solid and mild strategy, utilizing the copolymerization interaction between guanidine hydrochloride and trimesic acid. The chemical structure, morphology, optical property, and cataluminescence (CTL) sensing characteristics were investigated in detail. Control experiments were carried out to investigate the CTL sensing characteristics of g-C₃N₄ towards formic acid, which showed the prepared triazine-based g-C₃N₄ possessed a superior catalytic activity than that of tri-s-triazine. Meanwhile, the prepared g-C₃N₄ also showed commendable catalytic oxidization selectivity towards formic acid. In view of the advantageous features of low cost, environment friendliness, and long-term stability, triazine-based g-C₃N₄ was chosen as a highly efficient material to design a CTL sensor for formic acid. Graphical abstract Netty triazine-based g-C₃N₄ were synthesized via a novel solid and mild strategy, utilizing the copolymerization interaction between guanidine hydrochloride and trimesic acid. Meanwhile, the prepared g-C₃N₄ also showed commendable catalytic oxidization selectivity towards formic acid. Compared to most CTL sensing materials (metal and metal oxides), g-C₃N₄ were metal free, low cost, and environmentally friendly; therefore, triazine-based g-C₃N₄ could be used as a highly efficient CTL sensing material to detect formic acid.