The use of two-dimensional templates like clay, in the synthesis of graphitic carbon nitrides, make it feasible to form exfoliated layer like structures by polymerization of the precursors in the clay galleries. We have used clay linked with aminopropyl groups, aminoclay, to template the carbon nitride into mesolamellar structures. By virtue of its aminopropyl groups, aminoclay is further capable of reacting along with the intercalated precursors to enrich the carbon content of the resulting carbon nitrides.