Synthesis of Novel Kaolin-Supported g-C3N4/CeO2 Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Removal of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

Herein, novel ternary kaolin/CeO2/g-C3N4 composite was prepared by sol-gel method followed by hydrothermal treatment. The self-assembled 3D “sandwich” structure consisting of kaolin, CeO2 and g-C3N4 nanosheets, was systematically characterized by appropriate techniques to assess its physicochemical properties. In the prerequisite of visible-light irradiation, the removal efficiency of ciprofloxacin (CIP) over the kaolin/CeO2/g-C3N4 composite was about 90% within 150 min, 2-folds higher than those of pristine CeO2 and g-C3N4. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the improved photo-induced charge separation efficiency and the large specific surface area, which was determined by electrochemical measurements and N2 physisorption methods, respectively. The synergistic effect between the kaolin and CeO2/g-C3N4 heterostructure improved the photocatalytic performance of the final solid. The trapping and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments demonstrated that the hole (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) played an important role in the photocatalytic process. The photocatalytic mechanism for CIP degradation was also proposed based on experimental results. The obtained results revealed that the kaolin/CeO2/g-C3N4 composite is a promising solid catalyst for environmental remediation.

Crystalline C3N4/CeO2composites as photocatalyst for hydrogen production in visible light

“…The 2D layers of conjugated sheet of tri-s-triazine specifies the interlayer stacking distance of 0.329 nm -0.333 nm, and corresponds to the (002) plane of 2θ = 26.6˚ denoted as C3N4 structure [42]. Apart from that, the amorphous structure of C3N4 was also observed which displayed as a corrugated structure [30]. It was suggested that the formation of amorphous structure responsible to the reduction of XRD peak intensity for (100) and (002) planes of C3N4.…”

“…Doping cerium oxide (CeO2) with g-C3N4 was predicted to improve the limitations of the photocatalyst. CeO2 has gained popularity due their abundance, inexpensive, inert, non-toxic, high stability in absorption of photon energy, and excellent transfer of charged electron promoting electronhole separation which would enhance photocatalytic activity [30]- [33]. The g-C3N4/CeO2 composite would form a heterojunction structure supporting the separation for photogenerated electron-hole.…”

Effect of Cu doping on the photocatalytic activity of InVO4 for hazardous dye photodegradation under LED light and its mechanism

“…Hence, the photocatalyst can reduce O 2 to H 2 O 2, which then will react with the e À CB to form • OH (Jiang et al 2012;Wen et al 2017;Karbasi et al 2020). The positively charged holes of VB (h þ ) is more positive than the reduction potential of OH À / • OH (þ 2.38 eV) (Hou et al 2017;Huang et al 2020;de Melo Santos Moura et al 2021), which allows it to oxidize hydroxyl ions to form hydroxyl radicals. In addition, the h þ is a strong oxidizing agent that can directly degrade MB (Garcia-Segura & Brillas 2017).…”

Advancement towards Antibiotic Remediation: Heterostructure and Composite materials

“…2D-2D g-C 3 N 4 /K + Ca 2 Nb 3 O 10 -nanosheet heterojunctions were evaluated by Jiang et for photocatalytic degradation of TCH under visible light.The composite could degrade 81 % of TC in 90 min. [120] Huang et al [121] synthesized ternary kaolin/CeO 2/ g-C 3 N 4 composite by sol-gel method followed by hydrothermal reaction. The composite consisted of a self-assembled 3D sandwich-like structure comprising CeO 2 , kaolin, and g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets.…”

“…Huang et al [121] . synthesized ternary kaolin/CeO 2/ g‐C 3 N 4 composite by sol‐gel method followed by hydrothermal reaction.…”