Novel g-C3N4 photocatalytic coatings with spearhead-like morphology prepared by an electrophoretic deposition route

Abstract In this work, it is reported for the first time the preparation of photocatalytic coatings of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) through a green chemical procedure based on the electrophoretic deposition route (EPD) using only water as liquid medium. Several coatings with spearhead-like morphology were obtained when the applied voltage was 1.5 V or higher. The photoactivity of the g-C 3 N 4 coatings was examined by the degradation of the tetracycline antibiotic under solar-like irradiation. The higher photoactive features were observed in the sample with the spearhead-like morphology prepared at 1.5 V. In addition, recycling tests were performed to evaluate the photochemical stability of the coatings, where the photocatalyst did not exhibit any significant loss of activity after four consecutive cycles of photodegradation.