Work

Ag2S/Zn2+-Decorated g-C3N4 Type-II Heterojunction with Wide-Spectrum Response: Construction and Photocatalytic Performance in Ciprofloxacin Degradation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Antibiotic-based wastewaters seriously endanger human health and damage the ecological environment, and photocatalytic degradation is a desirable strategy for eliminating these contaminants in water. Therefore, developing a proper catalyst for the photodegradation of antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (CIP), is of great importance. In this study, novel Ag2S/Zn2+-decorated graphitic carbon nitride (AZCN for short) type-II heterojunctions are constructed through a precipitation–calcination procedure. The high porosity with a specific surface area of 133.5 m2 g−1, as well as the positive synergy between Ag2S- and Zn2+-decorated graphitic carbon nitride (abbreviated as ZCN), enhance incident light harvesting, increase the adsorption capacity for reactant molecules, favor mass transfer and promote the separation and transport of photoinduced carriers, therefore improving the degradation efficiency of CIP. Specifically, the degradation efficiency of CIP (50 mL, 10 mg L−1) over 2.5% AZCN (10 mg) is 18.1%, 43.1% and 55.7% within 60 min of irradiation using near-infrared light, visible light and simulated solar light, respectively. Moreover, it displays satisfactory recycling stability and excellent universality. This research not only develops a promising heterojunction photocatalyst but also offers some valuable insights in water remediation.

Source: Molecules

DOI: 10.3390/molecules30071417

Authors: Chengyang Wang, Han Zheng, Ruxue Ma, Xiucheng Zheng, Xinxin Guan

Institution: Zhengzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258