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Enhanced photoactivity of cerium tungstate-modified graphitic carbon nitride heterojunction photocatalyst for the photodegradation of moxifloxacin

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Abstract

Design and optimization of visible-light-driven photocatalysts for degradation of organic pollutants is an important step towards environmental decontamination. In this study, wolframite cerium tungstate (Ce2(WO4)3, (CW)) hybridized with g-C3N4 (CN) nanosheets was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal route followed by an ultrasound-assisted synthesis method. The prepared Ce2(WO4)3@ g-C3N4 (CW@CN) heterojunction was investigated for photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic moxifloxacin (MXF) under visible light irradiation. Structural, morphological, and optical properties as well as chemical composition of the as-synthesized heterojunction were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL). MXF photocatalytic degradation by the binary nanostructure (Ce2(WO4)3@ g-C3N4) (94.1%) was the highest compared to g-C3N4 (53.6%) and Ce2(WO4)3 (46.4%). Such enhanced activity could be ascribed to efficient suppression of the charge carriers’ recombination, leading to adequate formation of the reactive species responsible for MXF degradation. Furthermore, the Ce2(WO4)3@ g-C3N4 heterojunction showed remarkable stability over five consecutive cycles, with only 11.5% reduction after the 5th cycle. This work established the potential applicability of Ce2(WO4)3@ g-C3N4 nanostructures towards photocatalytic removal of MXF.

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Acknowledgements

The authors mention their heartfelt thanks to the college managing board, Principal and Head of the Department, VHNSN College for providing the necessary research facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, V. H. N. Senthikumara Nadar College (Autonomous), Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, 626 001, India

    S. Lakshmi Prabavathi, K. Saravanakumar & V. Muthuraj

  2. Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa

    T. T. I. Nkambule & G. Mamba

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  1. S. Lakshmi Prabavathi
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  2. K. Saravanakumar
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  3. T. T. I. Nkambule
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Prabavathi, S.L., Saravanakumar, K., Nkambule, T.T.I. et al. Enhanced photoactivity of cerium tungstate-modified graphitic carbon nitride heterojunction photocatalyst for the photodegradation of moxifloxacin. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 31, 11434–11447 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03692-1

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