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

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 nano-composite was determine using N(2)adsorption and desorption isotherm and calculated using BET equation and found to be 112.47 m(2)/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 photocatalystwas observed after six cycles and g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/CS catalyst remains 79.43% degradation of CIP in similar condition. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.