Synthesis and characterization of Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Mesoporous Nano-Silica (g-C3N4/KCC-1) nanocomposite as a novel highly efficient and recyclable photocatalyst for degradation of antibiotic in aqueous solution

Among the pharmaceutical compounds, penicillin G (PG) antibiotic has frequently introduced in waters and wastewater. The present study has investigated a novel Graphitic Carbon Nitride/ Mesoporous Nano-Silica (g-C3N4/KCC-1) nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of PG in aqueous solutions. A facile method applied for catalyst synthesis in different condition, and it was structurally and morphologically characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) which showed successful synthesis of g-C3N4/KCC-1 nanocomposite. The degradation process was examined as a function of pH (3-11), catalyst dose (0.2-0.8 g/L), contact time (10-120 min) and initial PG concentration (10-100 mg/L) under UV radiation. The results demonstrated that maximum degradation of PG was 93.98% in optimized environmental conditions including pH: 7, nanocomposite dosage: 0.6 g/L, contact time: up to 120 min and initial PG concentration: 10 mg/L. Also, datasets were better explained by Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to defining the kinetic of PG degradation in examined conditions. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

The novel g-C3N4/KCC-1 nanocomposite showed high efficiency in degrading penicillin G in aqueous solutions under optimized conditions, including neutral pH, appropriate catalyst dosage, extended contact time, and low initial concentration. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model was better in explaining the kinetics of PG degradation under the examined conditions.