Investigating the role of ultrasound in improving the photocatalytic ability of CQD decorated boron-doped g-C3N4 for tetracycline degradation and first-principles study of nitrogen-vacancy formation. (15th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Preeyanghaa, Mani; Vinesh, Vasudevan; Sabarikirishwaran, Ponnambalam; Rajkamal, Anand; Ashokkumar, Muthupandian; Neppolian, Bernaurdshaw
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 192(2022)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2022-06-15
• Subjects: Graphitic carbon nitride -- Carbon quantum dots -- Nitrogen vacancy -- Sonophotocatalysis -- Tetracycline degradation; Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.03.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride (CN) is recognized as a promising photocatalyst for energy and environmental remediation. However, challenges persist due to limited CN surface-active sites and poor electronic properties. To overcome such challenges, we have synthesized Carbon Quantum Dots decorated Boron-doped Exfoliated CN (CQD@B-ECN) via ultrasound-assisted thermal polycondensation method. The substitutional boron doping favored nitrogen-vacancy as evident from experimental results and DFT calculations, which accelerated the charge separation/transfer and the CQD incorporation broadens the light-harvesting ability through photon upconversion. Moreover, the specific surface area of 2CQD-2B-ECN (685 m 2 /g) was significantly greater than CN providing enormous active sites. 2CQD-2B-ECN were evaluated using Tetracycline (TC) antibiotic, where photocatalysis and sonocatalysis showed 68% and 0.2% degradation in 120 min, respectively. Remarkably, sonophotocatalysis exhibited 84% TC degradation with a synergy index of 1.2 and complete degradation within 180 min. This work reveals an insight into CQD-B-ECN as a novel sonophotocatalyst for the degradation of diverse recalcitrant pollutants. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Synthesis of novel CQDs decorated boron-doped exfoliated g-C3 N4 (CQD-B-ECN). CQD-B-ECN has a large specific surface area and an abundant nitrogen-vacancy. DFT calculations reveal boron doping and nitrogen-vacancy formation energies. The optimum CQD-B-ECN can remove ∼100% of tetracycline (TC) via sonophotocatalysis. Proposed mechanism of sonophotocatalytic TC degradation over defective CQD-B-ECN.