DEGRADATION OF CARBAMAZEPINE USING MODIFIED CARBON NITRIDE-BASED PHOTOCATALYSTS UNDER VARIOUS IRRADIATION SOURCES

In environmental protection, removing anthropogenic pollutants via photocatalytic processes is highly relevant. Carbamazepine (CBZ), an emerging pharmaceutical contaminant in aquatic environments due to incomplete human metabolism and excretion, resists conventional wastewater treatments, leading to its accumulation in water bodies.

Carbon nitride (C₃N₄) is a low-cost, easily synthesized, non-toxic, and biodegradable semiconductor capable of absorbing visible solar light, making it a promising photocatalyst. To enhance efficiency and facilitate recovery, modification strategies including metal doping (iron) and supporting matrices are employed. Herein, carbon nitride (CN) particles were synthesized via urea calcination. Subsequently, CN was modified by calcination with a Fe(II) salt (CNFe(II)c) and supported on montmorillonite (CN-Mt). The catalysts were characterized using ATR-IR, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to estimate bandgap energies. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and other characterization techniques provided additional materials insights.

The photocatalytic performance was evaluated through CBZ degradation assays under various irradiation sources. Samples were collected periodically, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to monitor concentration as a function of irradiation time.

The CBZ removal efficiency of the different photocatalysts was evaluated under identical experimental conditions. Based on the obtained results, a future study is proposed to investigate the mechanisms involved in CBZ degradation. This will provide a deeper understanding of the outcomes and lay the groundwork for future studies regarding the toxicity of the reaction mixture after treatment, as well as the evaluation of other emerging pharmaceutical contaminants.