Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Nanospheres as Visible-Light Active Chemical Warfare Agents Decontaminant

Graphitic carbon nitride, GCN, was oxidized using the Hummers' method. Both initial and modified materials were extensively characterized by various physical and chemical methods. The results showed the marked changes in morphology. Even though the shortrange layered structure was still present in the oxidized sample, spherical nanoparticles with 5-50 nm sizes made up the bulk of the material. This results in the development of porosity in the mesopore range. Incorporation of oxygen groups at the edges of carbon nitrogen layers/units is likely responsible for the formation of nanospheres (folding due to the polar forces). This process also increased the band gap energy from 2.85 to 3.39 eV. The initial and oxidized samples were used as reactive adsorbents of a mustard gas surrogate. The results showed an improvement in the adsorptive performance upon oxidation. Both samples were found photoactive in visible light. The degradation to ethyl vinyl sulfide was enhanced on the oxidized sample owing to the developed porosity and chemical heterogeneity.