NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterostructure with an enhanced ability for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride and antibacterial performance

Abstract

In this work, NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ heterostructure was prepared and used for the photocatalytic decomposition of tetracycline hydrochloride antibiotic and for inactivation of E. coli bacteria. The fabricated NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ composite displayed enhanced ability for photodegradation of organic pollutants and disinfection activities compared to the bare samples, because of the enhancement of visible light absorbance, heterojunction formation and photo-Fenton process. The optimized sample 10%-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ has photodegraded 94.5% of tetracycline hydrochloride in 80 min. The active species trapping experiments revels that ·O₂^-, h⁺ and •OH are key decomposing species participated in the antibiotic degradation. It is hoped that the present study will provide a better understanding to fabricate efficient photocatalysts for the decomposition of organic pollutants and disinfection of bacteria.

Keywords: E. coli bacteria; NiFe(2)O(4)/g-C(3)N(4); Photo-fenton process; Photocatalysis; Tetracycline hydrochloride.