The present work demonstrates the unique construction of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) contained nonhierarchical zinc-vanadium oxide (ZnV 2 O 6) composite for light-emitting diode (LED) aided photocatalytic degradation of an organic pollutant, tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The g-C 3 N 4 was prepared by pyrolysis of urea whereas ZnV 2 O 6 and 1:1 (ZnV 2 O 6 /g-C 3 N 4) composite were prepared by hydrothermal process. The as-synthesized catalysts were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) to unravel the physical, chemical, and photo-intrinsic characteristics. The 1:1 (ZnV 2 O 6 /g-C 3 N 4) composite exhibited the maximum TC degradation (87.2%) over the individual components. The systematic investigations revealed that 20 mg of 1:1 (ZnV 2 O 6 /g-C 3 N 4) catalyst was optimum to degrade 20 mg/L of TC with 9 W of LED irradiation up to 125 min. The 1:1 composite retained its catalytic efficiency for three consecutive runs that mark its on-site application. The as-proposed system for TC degradation is exclusive for the fabrication of electronically compatible composite that results in delayed recombination of photo-charges and promotes rapid electron migration within the composite, thereby accelerating the photodegradation.
In this study, lanthanum copper oxide was synthesised under hydrothermal techniques and characterized for doxycycline degradation. The catalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic doxycycline degradation under visible light owing to its compatible bandgap energy (1.7 eV). The XRD data revealed high crystallinity of the material with no noticeable impurities. Three-dimensional microspheres of varying sizes (average diameter of 2.52μm) were observed from SEM. EDX confirms the successful synthesis of La2CuO4. The effect of DC concentration, catalyst dosage and initial pH on the degradation rate of DC was studied methodically. Interestingly, about 85% of doxycycline (10 mg/L) was degraded within 120 minutes of light emitting diode irradiation at pH 10. Oxygen vacancies and surface defects were determined through photoluminescence spectra. The recyclability experiments suggested that the catalyst is capable of degrading DC for three consecutive runs. Radical trapping trials suggested that holes (h + ), superoxide radicals ( • O2 -) and hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) are involved in the photodegradation of DC. Herein, the novel approach of La2CuO4 synthesis and the efficient visible-light harvesting capability of as-prepared catalyst reveals the potentiality for DC degradation thereby opening a new horizon of research employing La2CuO4 used for various environmental applications.
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