Photocatalytic degradation of Glyphosate by g-C3N4 /Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO type Z– scheme heterojunction: Synthesis, characterization, mechanism studies and reusability

A new magnetically separable g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 /CuWO 4 /CuO quaternary heterojunction was created via a series of steps. Using different techniques, the structure, morphology, and optical and magnetic features of the as-constructed nanocomposites were detailed. The Z-scheme pathways that described the suggested procedure were supported by scavenger experiments. The rate constants corresponding to pseudo-first order was 1.065×10 -2 , 0.955×10 -2 , 0.812×10 -2 , and 0.546×10 -2 min -1 for g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 /CuWO 4 /CuO, g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 /CuWO 4 , g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 and g-C 3 N 4 respectively were obtained from UV-Vis results. In a batch mode reactor, the nanocomposite showed exceptional photodegradation efficiency towards glyphosate at the optimal conditions of pH 5, 1.5 g/L catalyst dose, 150 min of LED irradiation, and 10 mg/L glyphosate concentration. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of glyphosate was 94%. The g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 /CuWO 4 /CuO nanocomposite also eliminated 68% and 71% of TOC and COD, respectively. subsequently, the synthesized nanocomposite indicated remarkable reusability even after the sixth cycle of glyphosate photodegradation, with efficiency of 79% of glyphosate. Lastly, constructed g-C 3 N 4 /Fe 3 O 4 /CuWO 4 /CuO heterojunction visible light photocatalysis treatment successfully shows a beneficial effect in the removal of herbicide contaminants. This suggests its potential application in treating agricultural wastewater.