A versatile GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 ternary hetero-structure photo catalyst for effective photo-degradation and adsorption of tetracycline and ciprofloxacin from wastewater

• Published in: Synthetic metals 2024-12, Vol.309, p.117757, Article 117757
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Shahid, Bibi, Firdous, Taha, Safaa S., Mohany, Mohamed, Iqbal, Rashid, Kalsoom, Ambreen, Ahmad, Khursheed, ahmed, Adeel, Jamshaid, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Gadolinium orthoferrite; Hydrothermal method; Photo-degradation; Ternary composite; Visible light
• ISSN: 0379-6779
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2024.117757

In modern times, effective removal of pharmaceutical effluents from wastewater is considered an alarming issue. In our research efforts, we have synthesized NiO and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-decorated ternary GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 heterostructure nanocomposites (NCs) for the enhanced removal of tetracycline (TC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotics from wastewater. The GdFeO3 nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach and the ternary NCs via an ultra-sonication approach. The structural investigation of the as-fabricated materials revealed single-phase GdFeO3 and the effective fabrication of GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 NCs. Morphological analysis exhibited a round, spherical flake-like structure with heterogeneous morphology. The BET and I-V analysis exhibited improved surface and electrical features and was observed to be 43, 87, and 117 m2/g and 6.51 ×10−4 S/m, 3.67×10−2 S/m, and 84.81 S/m for GdFeO3 NPs, GdFeO3/NiO NPs, and GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 NCs, respectively. A decline in the PL intensity was observed, which exhibited the excellent separation and stabilization of the photo-genic charge pair’s. Optical band gap energy for GdFeO3 NPs, GdFeO3/NiO NPs, and GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 NCs was observed to be 2.34, 2.19, and 2.03 (eV), respectively. The GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 NCs show excellent photo-degradation of CIP and TC antibiotics under visible light, achieving 92.42 % and 94.23 % in 45 min with 4.7 % and 5.1 % removal via adsorption. Reusability testing exhibited only 1.3 % loss in catalytic activities after 5 runs. The h+, •O2-, and the (•OH) radicals are the primarily involved in the photo-degradation of CIP and TC. The g-C3N4-based GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 NCs with their highly conducting nature, the narrow band gap, improved electrical and optical properties, well-porous structures, and excellent photocatalytic activities against environmental pollutants might have advantageous applications in photo-catalysis. [Display omitted] •Synthesized NiO and g-C3N4-decorated ternary GdFeO3/NiO@g-C3N4 heterostructure nanocomposites.•One-pot hydrothermal and ultra-sonication approach used to fabricate the samples.•Morphological analysis exhibited a round, spherical flake-like structure.•Improved electrical conductivity (84.81 S/m) and optical properties, with a narrow band gap energy of 2.03 eV.•Achieved 92.42 % and 94.23 % degradation of CIP and TC antibiotics in 45 min.