Effect of synthesis strategies on morphology and antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)

Different morphologies of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), including bulk g-C₃N₄(B-CN), ultrathin nanosheet g-C₃N₄(N-CN), and porous g-C₃N₄(P-CN) were synthesized through a facile one-step approach. They were then employed as efficient photocatalysts under visible light to degrade methylene blue and deactivate<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>(<i>S. aureus</i>) and<i>Escherichia coli</i>(<i>E. coli</i>) bacteria. The synthesized powders were characterized using various industry standard techniques and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis successfully represented the various morphologies of g-C₃N₄. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of synthesized samples were examined, and the results revealed that B-CN, N-CN, and P-CN powders could eliminate around 64%, 82%, and 99% of<i>E. coli</i>under visible light irradiation and about 30%, 56, and 67% in dark conditions. On the other hand, the bacterial reduction rate of<i>S. aureus</i>was approximately 61%, 74%, and 99% for B-CN, N-CN, and P-CN powders under visible light irradiation and about 38%, 60%, and 77% in dark conditions. The SEM analysis revealed that P-CN caused<i>E. coli</i>and<i>S. aureus</i>bacteria to rupture, completely separating their internal contents from the cell membrane. g-C₃N₄photocatalytic antibacterial agents can be utilized as a unique potential solution for nosocomial infection management.