Catalytic self-assembly preparation and characterization of carbon nitride nanotubes by a solvothermal method

A solvothermal reaction of anhydrous C₃N₃Cl ₃ and sodium using cyclohexane as solvent and NiCl₂ as catalyst precursor has been carried out to prepare carbon nitride nanotubes successfully at 230°C and 1.8 MPa. The carbon nitride nanotubes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), electron energy loss spectrum (EELS) and Raman spectrum. SEM and TEM results indicated that the tubes have a length of 20-30 μm, a uniform outer diameter of about 50-60 nm, an inner diameter of 30-40 nm and are highly ordered assembled as bundles. The EELS measurement indicated that the ratio of N/C was about 1.00. The ED and XRD analyses revealed that the tube may have a new CN crystalline structure. The growth mechanism of nanotubes was discussed.