Fabrication of Z-scheme photocatalysts g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/chitosan for the photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin

Abstract

In the present study, we have fabricated a novel chitosan based nanocomposite (g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄/CS) containing g-C₃N₄ and Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles. The fabricated nanocomposite was characterized successfully and used as a catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light. The TEM results revealed that the g-C₃N₄ and Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles are well dispersed into the polymer matrix. The surface area of the nanocomposite was determine using N₂adsorption and desorption isotherm and calculated using BET equation and found to be 112.47 m²/g. The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was studied at different initial concentrations. The intermediate of and the degradation mechanism was determining using LCMS and DFT techniques. The results revealed that as-fabricated nanocomposite, g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄/CS shows, 90.34% degradation of CIP within 60 min at room temperature in neutral medium. The CIP degradation kinetics displays the first-order kinetics with 0.01771 min^-1. The reusability of the photocatalyst was observed after six cycles and g-C₃N₄/Ag₃PO₄/CS catalyst remains 79.43% degradation of CIP in similar condition.

Keywords: Chitosan; Ciprofloxacin; Nanoparticles; Photocatalyst.