  The controlled growth of carbon nitride (CN) films with tailored electronic
properties and surface area is quite challenging due to the solid-state
reaction and the lack of efficient interaction between C-N monomers and
substrates. Herein, controlled growth of CN films over robust carbon nanotubes
(CNT) fiber fabric is reported, which is obtained by either direct calcination
of melamine on their surface, that yields a bulk material, or by its chemical
vapor deposition resulting in hybrid films. These materials are effective
electrodes consisting of high surface-area CN containing CNT fiber fabrics
acting as a scaffold and a highly conducting built-in current collector. The
results confirm that CNTs act as nucleation centers for the formation of CN
films, forming close contact at the CN/CNT interphase, and resulting in
efficient charge transfer upon illumination and enhanced electrochemical
surface area.
