Promoting Spatial Charge Transfer of ZrO₂ Nanoparticles: Embedded on Layered MoS₂/g-C₃N₄ Nanocomposites for Visible-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Removal of Tetracycline

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation is a sustainable technique for reducing the environmental hazards created by the overuse of antibiotics in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, a layer of MoS2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite is introduced to zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles to form a “particle-embedded-layered” structure. Thus, a narrow band gap (2.8 eV) starts developing, deliberated as a core photodegradation component. Under optimization, a high photocatalytic activity of 20 mg/L TC at pH 3 with ZrO2@MoS2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was achieved with 94.8% photocatalytic degradation in 90 min. A photocatalytic degradation rate constant of 0.0230 min–1 is determined, which is 2.3 times greater than the rate constant for bare ZrO2 NPs. The superior photocatalytic activity of ZrO2@MoS2/g-C3N4 is due to the dual charge-transfer channel between the MoS2/g-C3N4 and ZrO2 nanoparticles, which promotes the formation of photogenerated e–/h+ pairs. Charge recombination produces many free electron–hole pairs, which aid photocatalyst reactions by producing superoxide and hydroxyl radicals via electron–hole pair generation. The possible mechanistic routes for TC were investigated in-depth, as pointed out by the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) investigation. Overall, this work shows that photocatalysis is a feasible sorbent approach for environmental antibiotic wastewater treatment.

Photocatalytic activity towards antibiotic degradation and H2 evolution by development of a Z-scheme heterojunction constructed from 1T/2H-MoS2 nanoflowers embellished on BCN nanosheets

“…[3][4][5] Furthermore, TCH prevalence in the environment promotes the growth of antibiotic-resistant microbes causing a serious risk to human health. [6][7][8] Hence, efficient removal of TCH from polluted water is still a major concern for the scientific community. Numerous water treatment techniques such as adsorption, 9 bio-degradation, 10 electrolysis, 11 oxidation, 12 photocatalysis 13,14 and the Fenton reaction 15 have been implemented to resolve the issues caused by TCH in wastewater.…”

“…See DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cy00266g and paucity of secondary contamination, photocatalysis has been recognised as a viable approach for TCH extraction from polluted water. 8,[16][17][18] Moreover, H 2 is a clean and emissionfree sustainable fuel that is regarded as a potential green substitute for non-renewable energy resources. [19][20][21][22] The photocatalytic evolution of hydrogen via water splitting using semiconductors has piqued the curiosity of researchers because it is a simple procedure, is lucrative in nature and is environmentally benign.…”

“Quasi-In Situ Synthesis of Oxygen Vacancy-Enriched Strontium Iron Oxide Supported on Boron-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide to Elevate the Photocatalytic Destruction of Tetracycline”

“…Under the same conditions, the SrFeO 3 @B-rGO nanocomposite outperforms SrFeO 3 , and the photocatalytic degradation rate is 92.4%. A large number of photo-catalytically active centers are provided by the high specific surface area and close interface contact between SrFeO 3 and B-rGO and a broad contact surface and improved photogenerated charge separation and migration . We also degraded the precursors which were involved in the preparation of SrFeO 3 .…”

“…A large number of photocatalytically active centers are provided by the high specific surface area and close interface contact between SrFeO 3 and B-rGO and a broad contact surface and improved photogenerated charge separation and migration. 64 We also degraded the precursors which were involved in the preparation of SrFeO 3 . Strontium nitrate degrades the TC after 75 min to 30%, and ferric nitrate degrades it to about 27%.…”

Electrospun PAN/PEG Nanofibrous Membrane Embedded with a MgO/gC3N4 Nanocomposite for Effective Bone Regeneration

“…A large amount of gC 3 N 4 was produced by the modified thermal oxidation method. Twenty-five grams of melamine was taken in a silica crucible and heated at 550 °C for 4 h. After treatment, the yellowish powder was ground in an agate mortar after being cooled at room temperature. , Then, the fine particles were washed three times with deionized water and ethanol. The obtained gC 3 N 4 was stored for further experiments.…”