Bismuth doped g-C3N4 composites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin

• Published in: Journal of molecular structure 2025-02, Vol.1321, p.140013, Article 140013
• Main Authors: Saini, Pooja, Ahmadizamani, Khadijeh, Chakinala, Nandana, Mukherjee, Sagnik, Sethia, Govind, Gupta Chakinala, Anand, Surolia, Praveen K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Bi doped g-C3N4; Ciprofloxacin; Photocatalysis; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0022-2860
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.140013

•g-C3N4 was synthesized and doped with bismuth with varying concentration.•The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized materials was investigated for the degradation of antibiotic Ciprofloxacin.•Kinetic and thermodynamic study was performed for photocatalytic degradation of Ciprofloxacin. There is an increase in presence of various contaminants particularly related to antibiotics in the water sources affecting the environment. This study focusses on designing and development of innovative bismuth doped g-C3N4 for photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin. Diverse Bi doped g-C3N4 catalysts, with metal loadings ranging from (0.5 – 2 wt%), were synthesized and characterized using advanced techniques. The introduction of Bi doped g-C3N4 drastically lowered the bandgap, with the introduction of Bi loadings. A highest ∼79% degradation was observed in 60 min using 1 wt% Bi doped g-C3N4, drastically outperforming bare g-C3N4 (∼63%). Kinetic studies were carried in the temperature range of (10 – 25°C), revealing an activation energy of 23.1 kJ/mol. Scavenging tests were carried with different additives (EDTA, IPA, AgNO3), among these lowest degradation (∼45%) was observed with EDTA which confirms that the h+ species controlling the degradation mechanism. Overall, this study reveals an improved photocatalytic activity attributed to better charge transfer and synergetic effects among Bi and g-C3N4, demonstrating the potential for pollutant removal present in wastewater. [Display omitted]