Growth confined by the nitrogen source: Synthesis of pure metal nitride nanoparticles in mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride

Metal nitride nanoparticles are synthesized using mesoporous carbon nitride, first as a nanoconfinement matrix and then as a nitrogen source. The reaction-confining matrix is thermally decomposed during synthesis, thus becoming a source of nitrogen donation, and removing the need for further purification and isolation steps. Using this approach, direct copies of silica nanostructures are generated in metal nitride form (see figure).