One-step calcination synthesis of 2D/2D g-C

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) pose environmental risks due to their accumulation in aquatic ecosystems.
• Antibiotics like tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) are common water contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and evaluate a novel 2D materials-based heterojunction for efficient removal of TC and SMX from aqueous matrices.
• To investigate the photocatalytic degradation pathways and assess the non-toxicity of end products.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of g-C3N4/WS2 2D/2D heterojunction via one-step calcination.
• Characterization using microscopy and spectroscopy.
• Photocatalytic degradation experiments under visible light.
• Free radical scavenging and intermediate analysis.
• Cell viability assay using Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

• The g-C3N4/WS2 heterojunction exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pristine materials.
• Optimal g-C3N4/WS2 degraded 84% of TC and 96% of SMX under visible light.
• Superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals were key in PhAC degradation.
• Photodegradation pathways were elucidated, and end products were found to be non-toxic.
• The material demonstrated structural resilience and stable cycling performance.

Conclusions:

• The 2D/2D g-C3N4/WS2 heterojunction is a highly effective and stable photocatalyst for removing antibiotics from wastewater.
• This advanced material offers a promising solution for environmental remediation of pharmaceutical contaminants.