Solar light-induced photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using chitosan/g-C3N4 beads

Remediation of persistent organic pollutants such as pesticides and personal care products in water has attained immense research interest due to the commercialization feasibility of Advanced Oxidation Processes. Thus, the present study focuses on the solar-light assisted photocatalytic degradation of commonly used pesticide, i.e., 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The chitosan-modified g-C 3 N 4 beads (CS/g-C 3 N 4 ) were synthesized using the phase inversion method. Synergistic activity of chitosan with g-C 3 N 4 in the form of recoverable beads with solar light-based photocatalytic activity has been brought as the novelty of this work. The chitosan-modified g-C 3 N 4 beads have been studied for their morphological and structural characterization. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows the variation in the bandgap from 2.79 (g-C 3 N 4 ) to 2.6 eV (CS/g-C 3 N 4 beads) due to the incorporation of chitosan. The photocatalytic removal of 2,4-D under solar light using CS/g-C 3 N 4 is found to be 83%. The prepared beads showed no significant loss in catalytic activity even after four cycles. Therefore, CS/g-C 3 N 4 is a low-cost, affordable, and environmentally friendly material for the redemption of pesticides like 2,4-D. • Chitosan/g-C 3 N 4 beads offer a cheap and efficient method for the removal of 2,4-D. • The solar light has been utilized for its photocatalytic redemption of organic pesticide. • g-C 3 N 4 is immobilized with chitosan as beads and are recovered and reused. • Prepared beads alter the band gap, and aid the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-D.