Construction of g-C3N4/BiOCl hybrids via hydrothermal synthesis for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Tetracycline, Rhodamine B, and Nitenpyram

Abstract

A photocatalysis system is widely regarded as the most renewable approach to environmental treatment since sunlight is a long-term source of energy for the planet. This study assessed the efficacy of a photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride/bismuth oxychloride (g-C3N4/BiOCl) by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photo-luminance, photocurrent density, and X-ray diffraction to characterize the photocatalyst. The results showed an improvement in morphology and enhanced photodegradation of pharmaceutical residues such as Nitenpyram, Tetracycline, and Rhodamine B. For a wavelength range of 655 to 420 nm, the synthesized photocatalysts were good at the absorption of visible light. A photodegradation proficiency of 64.72% was observed with tetracycline, 48.91% nitenpyram, and 98.70% with Rhodamine B in 30 min. The g-C3N4/BiOCl displayed a significant photocatalytic activity due to high load separation and transition. This study shows that g-C3N4/BiOCl photocatalyst has been confirmed as one of the most intriguing contenders for innovative photocatalyst designs and can potentially be used in treating wastewater and the environment at large.