Dynamic gas template method derived thin-layer graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for efficient...

The extensive application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, C₈H₆Cl₂O₃) as a herbicide has resulted in the significant environmental contamination. This pervasive pollution poses serious health risks to humans. Semiconductor photocatalytic technology represents a highly effective approach to addressing urgent environmental crisis. Herein, thin-layer g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were synthesized using NH₄Cl as a dynamic gas template. Among all synthesized materials, the thin-layer g-C₃N₄ (2.5N-MCN) exhibited a degradation rate constant (k) for 2,4-D that was 3.05 times higher than that of pristine g-C₃N₄ (MCN). 2.5N-MCN exhibits continuous lamellar nanostructures, the highest specific surface area (S_BET), and superior electrochemical properties among all samples. Moreover, the hydroxyl radical (·OH) was identified as the predominant reactive species in the photocatalytic degradation process. Subsequently, the degradation pathway of 2,4-D was deduced from the identified intermediates. And the process of photocatalytic degradation 2,4-D proceeded without significant elevated in toxicity levels by the TEST software. Then, the pH and fulvic acid influence experiment were also studied. Nevertheless, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 2.5N-MCN toward 2,4-D exhibited a moderate decline after four cycles. This research provided insights into the improving the photocatalytic efficiency of organic pollutant degradation through efficient solar conversion materials.