Construction of Multi-Defective ZnMn2O4/Carbon Nitride Three-Dimensional System for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Sulfamethoxazole Degradation

Abstract

Rational design of composite nanostructured photocatalytic systems with good sunlight absorption capacity and efficient charge separation and transfer ability is an urgent problem to be solved in photocatalysis research. Here, a ZnMn2O4 decorated three-dimensional carbon nitride with O, C co-doping, and nitrogen defect composite photocatalytic system was prepared using a simple hydrothermal method and subsequent calcination method. For the photocatalytic reactions, the presence of heterostructures, C, O co-doping, and nitrogen defects greatly promotes the separation and transfer of charges at the semiconductor/semiconductor interface under the local electric field, thereby extending its service life. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of sulfamethoxazole in water is as high as 94.3% under the synergistic effects, which is also suitable for the complex water environment. In addition, the synthesized photocatalyst has good chemical stability and recyclability. This study provides a new opportunity to solve the problem of environmental pollution.