Converting low-polymerized fragments into melem assemblies as charge transport bridges to activate polymeric carbon nitride

Abstract

The weak hydrogen bonds between melon chains in polymeric carbon nitride (CN) are naturally difficult for carrier transfer and the produced low-polymerized CN fragments further aggravate charge transport. Here, through the controllable depolymerized intervention of CN with molten KSCN, the unstable low-polymerized fragments are concurrently depolymerized and assembled into melem-based nanorods. These massively bonded assemblies in the established composite, as charge transfer bridges, closely connect with melon structures, providing pathways and facilitating charge transfer carriers on chains to nanorods and adjacent chains. Therefore, the proposed “waste into treasure” strategy eliminates the low-polymerized fragments and converts them into charge transport bridges, eventually boosting charge transport and achieving a 16-fold increase in H2 production activity.