Ultrathin S-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for enhanced sulpiride degradation via visible-light-assisted peroxydisulfate activation: Performance and mechanism

The wide use and distribution of sulpiride (SP) has caused potential threats to the water environment and human health. In this study, ultrathin S-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (USeCN) was successfully synthesized and characterized, and its SP removal efficiency was evaluated under various conditions via the visible-light-assisted peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation method. The degradation pathways and mechanism were also discussed through quenching experiments, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and intermediate products detection. After sulfur doping and ultrasonic treatment, graphitic carbon nitride (CN) possessed an ultra-thin and porous structure, which facilitated the electronic distribution and more photocurrent, thus resulting in the excellent stability and removal efficiency for SP via PDS activation upon visible light irradiation. The singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) generated by the US-CN/PDS/VL system played a significant role in SP degradation. Based on the bonds of electron-rich atoms fracturing and the SO2 extrusion, the SP degradation pathway was proposed. This work provides a useful information for the SP photocatalytic degradation via PDS activation. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Ultra-thin S-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets were synthesized and evaluated for their efficiency in removing sulpiride under various conditions. The study discussed degradation pathways and mechanism, finding that singlet oxygen played a significant role in SP degradation.