S. Dahiya, A. Sharma, S. Chaudhary
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Haryana, India,
India
Keywords: Phytoextract mediated, Antibiotic degradation, Photocatalytic degradation, BiVO4
Summary:
In recent years, the persistent presence of antibiotics and organic pollutants in the environment has become a growing concern due to their adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. This study presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach to address this issue by synthesizing a composite photocatalyst consisting of green tea extract-derived bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) NPs doped with graphitic carbon nitride(g-C3N4). The resulting composite material was comprehensively characterized using various analytical techniques, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) mapping, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed the successful formation of the BiVO4/g-C3N4 composite with well-defined crystalline phases. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups, illustrating the chemical composition and interaction between the two materials. SEM images demonstrated the morphology of the composite, which displayed a unique structure, providing insight into its surface properties and potential for photocatalytic applications. EDAX mapping offered valuable information on the distribution of bismuth and vanadium within the composite, confirming uniform doping. The thermogravimetric analysis provided data on the thermal stability of the composite, which is essential for understanding its potential for long-term applications. Photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed a reduced charge recombination rate, indicating enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The antibiotics tetracycline and amoxicillin were effectively degraded up to 75% in the presence of direct sunlight, along with the cationic and dyes degradation of upto 90%. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into synthesizing and characterizing a phytoextract route mediated BiVO4/g-C3N4 composite doped with green tea extract, showing significant potential for the efficient degradation of antibiotics and organic pollutants in environmental remediation applications. The findings emphasize the importance of advanced materials and their characterization techniques in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.