Synthesis of NiFe2O4/Ag nanoparticles immobilized on mesoporous g-C3N4 sheets and application for degradation of antibiotics

In the present study, the synthesis of NiFe2O4/Ag nanoparticles immobilized on g-C3N4 sheets was explored to produce an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline under visible light illumination. The prepared samples were studied using transmission electron microscopy, vibrational sample magnetometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis. TEM result showed that both nickel ferrite and silver nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of carbon nitride with an average particle size of similar to 40 nm. The sample's magnetization value and specific surface area were calculated to be 18 emu g(-1) and 34 m(2)/g, respectively. The g-C3N4/NiFe2O4/Ag sample showed a superior photocatalytic efficiency compared to pristine g-C3N4 and binary systems. The tetracycline photodegradation efficiency improved from 53.2% to 92.1% by adding nickel ferrite and silver nanoparticles to the graphitic carbon nitride. The reason for the boosting tetracycline degradation probably is due to the large surface area of the samples, highly dispersed NiFe2O4/Ag nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nitride, prevention of electron-hole recombination, and efficient harvest of visible light. The possible photodegradation mechanism of the g-C3N4/NiFe2O4/Ag system for tetracycline photodegradation is suggested.

Automated summary

In this study, NiFe2O4/Ag nanoparticles immobilized on g-C3N4 sheets were synthesized as a highly efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline under visible light. The prepared samples were characterized using various techniques. The addition of nickel ferrite and silver nanoparticles significantly improved the tetracycline photodegradation efficiency due to large surface area, efficient dispersion of nanoparticles, prevention of electron-hole recombination, and effective utilization of visible light.