Effect of pH on the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of sulfadimidine in Vis/g-C3N4 progress

In this study, g-C3N4 was synthesized by thermal polycondensation of melamine and was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that g-C3N4 degraded sulfadimidine (SMD) under visible light, in which the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation was influenced by pH. The maximum adsorption capacity was achieved at approximately pH 5. The highest degradation rate constant was obtained at strong acid and alkali. In addition, the degradation mechanism of g-C3N4 was evaluated with the help of quencher agents. The intermediates, degradation pathways, and mineralization of SMD were also determined to evaluate the degradation and oxidation ability of g-C3N4.