Synthesis of spherical carbon nitride nanostructures

Carbon nitride spheres, with diameters ranging from 20 microns to as few as 30 nanometers were prepared by template-directed solid-state or solution reaction of cyanuric chloride or fluoride with lithium nitride. The electron microscopy data on the hollow spheres suggest their multiwalled nanostructure, built by disorderly stacked C3N4 curved layers assembled from triazine rings and nitrogen bridges of pyramidal structure. The closed spherical shape of this form of carbon nitride suggests its use in lubricants, catalyst supports, gas storage, and drug delivery.