Pomelo biochar as an electron acceptor to modify graphitic carbon nitride for boosting visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

In this study, biochar (BC) derived from pomelo was prepared via a high-temperature calcination method to modify the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to synthesize the BC/g-C3N4 composite for the degradation of the tetracycline (TC) antibiotic under visible light irradiation. The experimental results exhibit that the optimal feeding weight ratio of biochar/urea is 0.03:1 in BC/g-C3N4 composite could show the best photocatalytic activity with the degradation rate of tetracycline is 83% in 100 min irradiation. The improvement of photocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to the following two points: (i) the strong bonding with pi-pi stacking between BC and g-C3N4 make the photogenerated electrons of light-excited g-C3N4 transfer to BC, quickly and improve the separation efficiency of carriers; (ii) the introduction of BC reduces the distance for photogenerated electrons to migrate to the surface and increases the specific surface area for providing more active sites. This study provides a sustainable, economical and promising method for the synthesis of photocatalytic materials their application to wastewater treatment. (C) 2021 Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a BC/g-C3N4 composite was synthesized to degrade tetracycline antibiotic under visible light irradiation. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the strong bonding between BC and g-C3N4, as well as the introduction of BC to increase the specific surface area.