Synthesis and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride composite with NiFe2O4/CdO for photocatalytic treatment of diclofenac sodium and crystal violet

Herein, we report the photocatalytic degradation of anti-inflammatory drug i.e. diclofenac sodium, and organic dye i.e. crystal violet by CdO nanoparticles, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, CdO/NiFe2O4, and ternary composite of CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4. The easy/facile co-precipitation method was employed for the synthesis of nanoparticles, and their binary and ternary composite was fabricated by an ultra-sonication method. Characterization techniques used were XRD, FTIR, and SEM for the structural, functional group, and morphological analysis respectively. UV-Visible measurements were performed to determine the band gap energy of as-synthesized photocatalysts, and also to examine degradation efficiency of materials against crystal violet and diclofenac sodium under visible light source. Experimental analysis shows that the ternary nanocomposite of CdO/NiFe2O4/ g-C3N4 has shown better photodegradation activity of 86% and 84% towards the diclofenac sodium and crystal violet respectively as compared to pure CdO and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, and their binary composite. The improved degradation efficiency of ternary nanocomposite i.e. CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 is due to its high surface area/more active sites provided by g-C3N4 sheets for trapping of electrons in order to avoid electron/hole recombination and also to species for degradation. Hence, CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite could be a promising material in future to degrade other organic pollutants/dyes.

Automated summary

In this study, CdO nanoparticles, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, CdO/NiFe2O4, and ternary composite of CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 were used for the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac sodium and crystal violet. The ternary nanocomposite of CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 showed better photodegradation activity compared to pure CdO and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles and their binary composite. The improved degradation efficiency of the ternary nanocomposite is attributed to its high surface area and active sites provided by g-C3N4 sheets, which prevent electron/hole recombination and facilitate species degradation. Therefore, CdO/NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite has potential for degrading other organic pollutants/dyes in the future.