Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of g-C₃N₄ under solar light by Nd³⁺ doping and HPA incorporation and its application in the degradation of ceftriaxone sodium

ABSTRACT

Nd³⁺-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets incorporated with heteropoly phosphotungstic acid (Nd³⁺-g-C₃N₄-HPA) were synthesised, and their optical response, band structure and charge separation efficiency were analysed. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectral studies revealed that Nd³⁺ doping and HPA incorporation led to an increase in absorption intensity, which enhances the range of visible light absorption. Improved separation efficiency and reduction in the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes are supported by photoluminescence studies. This novel photocatalyst was applied for the removal of the antibiotic, ceftriaxone sodium from water and attained complete degradation within 75 min of sunlight irradiation, demonstrating that the Nd³⁺-g-C₃N₄-HPA photocatalyst would be beneficial for eliminating persistent organic pollutants like dyes and pharmaceutical compounds from wastewater. Investigations revealed that superoxide anion radicals and holes play a significant role in the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Furthermore, a possible degradation pathway of ceftriaxone sodium was proposed using mass spectral analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar photocatalyst
• graphitic carbon nitride
• Nd³⁺-g-C₃N₄-HPA
• ceftriaxone sodium degradation

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the management of Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam, for the continuous support and encouragement for the completion of this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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