Fabrication of Z-scheme photocatalysts g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/chitosan for the photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin

Abstract In the present study, we have fabricated a novel chitosan based nanocomposite (g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/CS) containing g-C3N4 and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles. The fabricated nanocomposite was characterized successfully and used as a catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light. The TEM results revealed that the g-C3N4 and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles are well dispersed into the polymer matrix. The surface area of the nanocomposite was determine using N2adsorption and desorption isotherm and calculated using BET equation and found to be 112.47 m2/g. The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was studied at different initial concentrations. The intermediate of and the degradation mechanism was determining using LCMS and DFT techniques. The results revealed that as-fabricated nanocomposite, g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/CS shows, 90.34% degradation of CIP within 60 min at room temperature in neutral medium. The CIP degradation kinetics displays the first-order kinetics with 0.01771 min−1. The reusability of the photocatalyst was observed after six cycles and g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/CS catalyst remains 79.43% degradation of CIP in similar condition.