Microwave-assisted synthesis of self-assembled C-doped-ZnO/g-C ₃ N ₄ heterojunction catalysts for effective photodegradation of ofloxacin antibiotic

In this study, carbon-doped zinc oxide (CZ45) prepared using the microwave-assisted solvothermal method was electrostatically assembled with graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) to obtain CZ45/GCN (CZCN) heterojunction photocatalysts. The obtained composites showed average sizes in the range of 19.12-20.51 nm with the disintegration of petal-like stacked GCN sheets. A significant decrease in the bandgap (<i>E</i> _g) from 3.12 eV in CZ45 to 2.67-2.81 eV in the CZCN composites and the photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicated an enhanced charge carrier separation suitable for the catalytic application under visible light irradiation. The CZCN11 composite (<i>E</i> _g = 2.81 eV) with a CZ45 : GCN weight ratio of 1 : 1 demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic performance in the degradation of ofloxacin (OFL) antibiotics compared to the other prepared CZCN composites as well as GCN and CZ45. The optimal parameters for OFL photodegradation by CZCN11 were determined; the CZCN11 dosage, OFL initial concentration, and pH range were found to be 1.01 g L^-1, 20 ppm, and 7.0-8.0, respectively. Under these conditions, about 96% of the initial amount of OFL was decomposed at an apparent rate of 0.0173 min^-1 in 180 min. A reusability test indicated the excellent durability and recyclability of CZCN11 in OFL photodegradation since the degradation efficiency was reduced only by about 1% after five successive runs without any alteration in the original structure of the composite. Furthermore, the active-charge-trapping experiments displayed the crucial role of superoxide (˙O₂ ^-) radicals in OFL photodegradation by the CZCN composites.