G-C3N4-Ag composite mediated photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene - A remedy for environmental pollution

Sandhanasamy Devanesan; Mohamad S AlSalhi; Xinghui Liu; Rajasree Shanmuganathan

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117387

G-C₃N₄-Ag composite mediated photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene - A remedy for environmental pollution

Environ Res. 2023 Dec 15;239(Pt 2):117387. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117387. Epub 2023 Oct 12.

Authors

Sandhanasamy Devanesan¹, Mohamad S AlSalhi², Xinghui Liu³, Rajasree Shanmuganathan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: dsandhana@ksu.edu.sa.
² Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China.
⁴ Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, 600 077, India. Electronic address: shree.shri1988@gmail.com.

PMID: 37832767
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117387

Abstract

In recent years, g-C₃N₄-Ag nanocomposite synthesis has gained considerable attention for its potential to treat polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to act against bacteria and fungi. In this study, we present a novel approach to the synthesis of g-C₃N₄-Ag nanocomposite and evaluate its efficiency in both PAH removal and antimicrobial activity. The synthesis process involved the preparation of g-C₃N₄ by thermal polycondensation of melamine. The factors that affect the adsorption process of PAHs, like time, pH, irradiation type, and adsorbent dosage, were also evaluated. Isotherm models like Langmuir and Freundlich determined the adsorption capability of g-C₃N₄-Ag. In simulated models, phenanthrene was degraded to a maximum of 85% at lower concentrations of catalyst. The adsorption profile of phenanthrene obeys the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherms pattern. The g-C₃N₄-Ag nanocomposite also exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Candida albicans). The present study is the first report stating the dual application of g-C₃N₄-Ag nanocomposite in reducing the concentration of PAH and killing bacterial and fungal pathogens. The higher adsorption capability proclaimed by g-C₃N₄-Ag nanocomposite shows the fabricated nanomaterial with great potential to remediate organic pollutants from the ecosystem.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; G–C(3)N(4)–Ag; Nanocomposite; Phenanthrene; Photodegradation.

MeSH terms

Anti-Infective Agents*
Ecosystem
Environmental Pollutants*
Environmental Pollution
Phenanthrenes*

Substances

Environmental Pollutants
Phenanthrenes
Anti-Infective Agents