Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanostructure-Based Antibiotic Degradation via Synergistic Adsorption and Photocatalysis: A Review

Due to the extensive use of antimicrobial agents in healthcare and animal husbandry, the persistent residues of pharmaceutical antibiotics in wastewater have emerged as a critical environmental challenge. Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg-C3N4) stands out as a breakthrough material driving the progress of environmental remediation, owing to its expanded surface area, adjustable mesopore distribution (2–50 nm), good structural stability, and strong electrical conductivity. In the field of antibiotic removal research, recent advances in nanostructured carbon nitride fabrication have yielded multiple pathways for mpg-C3N4 synthesis, including the template method and molecular scaffolding strategy, which are methodically analyzed herein. As evidenced by XRD patterns, mpg-C3N4 maintains the characteristic graphitic carbon nitride phase, whereas SEM micrographs reveal its unique wormhole-like mesoporosity, which is attributed to the silica template etching process. Moreover, the removal efficiency and associated mechanisms in actual wastewater treatment are discussed, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference to bridge laboratory research and industrial translation of this material for the removal of antimicrobial agents from wastewater and offer valuable insights into environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technology.