This work presents the design, synthesis, and application of advanced doped and composite graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of diverse organic pollutants under visible light. Sulfur, yttrium-, tellurium-, and strontium-doped g-C3N4, as well as 2D Z-scheme S-g-C3N4/WO3 composites, were synthesized using facile thermal polymerization, two-step pyrolysis, one-pot calcination, and wet-impregnation methods. These materials exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to pristine g-C3N4, achieving up to 99% degradation of industrial dyes such as methylene blue, acid orange 7, and congo red, as well as pharmaceutical contaminants including acetaminophen and 5-fluorouracil. The reaction kinetics followed pseudo-first-order models, with substantially higher rate constants and shorter half-lives for the doped and composite catalysts. Mechanistic studies, supported by radical scavenger tests and LC-MS analysis, revealed superoxide radicals and photogenerated holes as the primary active species, with minor contributions from hydroxyl radicals and electrons. Structural, optical, and electrochemical characterizations confirmed improved charge separation, band gap tuning, and stability of the synthesized photocatalysts. Biocompatibility tests using seeds demonstrated negligible toxicity and potential applicability in environmentally friendly water treatment. These findings underscore the versatility and efficiency of doped and composite g-C3N4 photocatalysts for sustainable remediation of various organic pollutants.
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Advanced Doped and Composite Graphitic Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts for Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants under Visible Light
Published:
17 June 2026
by MDPI
in The 1st International Online Conference on Xenobiotics
session Environmental Toxicity, Bioaccumulation and Remediation Strategies
Abstract:
Keywords: Graphitic carbon nitride, Photocatalysts, Organic pollutant degradation, Biocompatibility
