Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions
Abstract Toxic dyes present in wastewater pose a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for eco-friendly and efficient remediation strategies. In this study, we report a novel rapid synthesis protocol for graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets via thermal polymerizati...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13645-5 |
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| author | Rohit Madankar Mayuri Umekar Ganesh Bhusari Aniruddha Mondal Mohammad Raish Mohd Afzal Małgorzata Norek Ratiram Chaudhary |
| author_facet | Rohit Madankar Mayuri Umekar Ganesh Bhusari Aniruddha Mondal Mohammad Raish Mohd Afzal Małgorzata Norek Ratiram Chaudhary |
| author_sort | Rohit Madankar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Toxic dyes present in wastewater pose a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for eco-friendly and efficient remediation strategies. In this study, we report a novel rapid synthesis protocol for graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets via thermal polymerization of thiourea, followed by annealing in ambient air at 550 °C for two hours. The resulting g-C3N4 nanosheets were employed as adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. Comprehensive characterization using XRD confirmed the formation of a hexagonal crystalline phase, while FT-IR indicated the presence of nitrogen-rich heterocyclic structures. SEM and TEM images revealed the successful fabrication of few-layer nanosheets with edge thicknesses ranging from 6.9 to 20.88 nm. BET analysis demonstrated a Type IV porous structure with a surface area of 101.2 m2/g and an average pore diameter of 7.01 nm. Adsorption experiments utilizing 20 mg of g-C3N4 nanosheets at an initial dye concentration of 25 mg/L and a pH of 7.5 demonstrated a preferential affinity for RhB, achieving removal efficiencies of 99.80%, in contrast to 94.56% for MB. Kinetic and isotherm analyses revealed that dye adsorption conformed to the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order (PSO) models, indicating a spontaneous, endothermic process characterized by multilayer adsorption and increased interfacial disorder. Notably, the Freundlich isotherm predicted maximum adsorption capacities of 9.226 × 107 mg/g for RhB and 2.251 × 107 mg/g for MB, surpassing the estimations provided by alternative models. Reusability assessments demonstrated the g-C3N4 nanosheets maintained over 85% removal efficiency after five cycles, highlighting their potential as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for dye remediation in wastewater treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e87818537be46d388b3c3e16fefcebc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e87818537be46d388b3c3e16fefcebc2025-08-20T03:42:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-13645-5Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous SolutionsRohit Madankar0Mayuri Umekar1Ganesh Bhusari2Aniruddha Mondal3Mohammad Raish4Mohd Afzal5Małgorzata Norek6Ratiram Chaudhary7Post Graduate Department of Chemistry, Seth Kesarimal Porwal College, RTM Nagpur University, NagpurPost Graduate Department of Chemistry, Seth Kesarimal Porwal College, RTM Nagpur University, NagpurGulf International Chemicals (S.A.O.G.), H635+HCM, Rusayl Industrial EstateCentre for Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud UniversityInstitute of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Technologies and Chemistry, Military University of TechnologyPost Graduate Department of Chemistry, Seth Kesarimal Porwal College, RTM Nagpur University, NagpurAbstract Toxic dyes present in wastewater pose a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for eco-friendly and efficient remediation strategies. In this study, we report a novel rapid synthesis protocol for graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets via thermal polymerization of thiourea, followed by annealing in ambient air at 550 °C for two hours. The resulting g-C3N4 nanosheets were employed as adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. Comprehensive characterization using XRD confirmed the formation of a hexagonal crystalline phase, while FT-IR indicated the presence of nitrogen-rich heterocyclic structures. SEM and TEM images revealed the successful fabrication of few-layer nanosheets with edge thicknesses ranging from 6.9 to 20.88 nm. BET analysis demonstrated a Type IV porous structure with a surface area of 101.2 m2/g and an average pore diameter of 7.01 nm. Adsorption experiments utilizing 20 mg of g-C3N4 nanosheets at an initial dye concentration of 25 mg/L and a pH of 7.5 demonstrated a preferential affinity for RhB, achieving removal efficiencies of 99.80%, in contrast to 94.56% for MB. Kinetic and isotherm analyses revealed that dye adsorption conformed to the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order (PSO) models, indicating a spontaneous, endothermic process characterized by multilayer adsorption and increased interfacial disorder. Notably, the Freundlich isotherm predicted maximum adsorption capacities of 9.226 × 107 mg/g for RhB and 2.251 × 107 mg/g for MB, surpassing the estimations provided by alternative models. Reusability assessments demonstrated the g-C3N4 nanosheets maintained over 85% removal efficiency after five cycles, highlighting their potential as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for dye remediation in wastewater treatment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13645-5Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)Rapid synthesisKinetic modellingAdsorption isothermsToxic dyes removalEnvironmental detoxification |
| spellingShingle | Rohit Madankar Mayuri Umekar Ganesh Bhusari Aniruddha Mondal Mohammad Raish Mohd Afzal Małgorzata Norek Ratiram Chaudhary Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions Scientific Reports Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) Rapid synthesis Kinetic modelling Adsorption isotherms Toxic dyes removal Environmental detoxification |
| title | Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions |
| title_full | Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions |
| title_fullStr | Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions |
| title_short | Rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solutions |
| title_sort | rapid synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as an efficient adsorbent for removal of methylene blue and rhodamine b from aqueous solutions |
| topic | Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) Rapid synthesis Kinetic modelling Adsorption isotherms Toxic dyes removal Environmental detoxification |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13645-5 |
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