Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants

The study introduces an innovative Z-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy (GZP) nanocomposite synthesized through a three-step process: calcination, coprecipitation, and in situ polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy), with varied PPy concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Extensive characterization...

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Main Authors: Ankoor Sura, Amanvir Singh, Sudha Narwal, Arjun Singh, Vandana Sehrawat, Bharti Dahiya, Vikas Kumar, Ujjawal Sharma, Lakshita Phor, Sonia Nain, Virat Khanna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Nanotechnology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jnt/8823568
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author Ankoor Sura
Amanvir Singh
Sudha Narwal
Arjun Singh
Vandana Sehrawat
Bharti Dahiya
Vikas Kumar
Ujjawal Sharma
Lakshita Phor
Sonia Nain
Virat Khanna
author_facet Ankoor Sura
Amanvir Singh
Sudha Narwal
Arjun Singh
Vandana Sehrawat
Bharti Dahiya
Vikas Kumar
Ujjawal Sharma
Lakshita Phor
Sonia Nain
Virat Khanna
author_sort Ankoor Sura
collection DOAJ
description The study introduces an innovative Z-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy (GZP) nanocomposite synthesized through a three-step process: calcination, coprecipitation, and in situ polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy), with varied PPy concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Extensive characterizations confirmed the successful integration and uniform dispersion of ZnO and PPy on the g-C3N4 matrix, enhancing surface interaction and structural stability. FTIR confirmed the successful incorporation of PPy and ZnO on the g-C3N4, while XRD and XPS provided insights into the crystalline structure and elemental composition. TEM and SEM revealed uniform dispersion of ZnO and PPy, ensuring optimal surface interaction. UV-DRS analysis showed enhanced visible light absorption, while PL spectra demonstrated effective suppression of charge carrier recombination, with EIS indicating reduced charge transfer resistance, thus promoting superior separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. Photocatalytic evaluations highlighted the remarkable efficiency of GZP1 achieving 97% degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) and 93% degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) at a low concentration of 10 mg/100 mL, with consistent performance over four cycles. Active species analysis identified holes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the key contributors to degradation. These results establish GZP as a promising photocatalyst with high reusability and efficiency, addressing critical water purification challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-606b6ee5cc704acaba065a0bf2acbcdd2025-08-20T02:16:55ZengWileyJournal of Nanotechnology1687-95112025-01-01202510.1155/jnt/8823568Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic PollutantsAnkoor Sura0Amanvir Singh1Sudha Narwal2Arjun Singh3Vandana Sehrawat4Bharti Dahiya5Vikas Kumar6Ujjawal Sharma7Lakshita Phor8Sonia Nain9Virat Khanna10Department of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryDepartment of MicrobiologyDepartment of Human Genetics and Molecular MedicineUniversity Centre for Research and DevelopmentDepartment of ChemistryUniversity Centre for Research and DevelopmentThe study introduces an innovative Z-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy (GZP) nanocomposite synthesized through a three-step process: calcination, coprecipitation, and in situ polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy), with varied PPy concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Extensive characterizations confirmed the successful integration and uniform dispersion of ZnO and PPy on the g-C3N4 matrix, enhancing surface interaction and structural stability. FTIR confirmed the successful incorporation of PPy and ZnO on the g-C3N4, while XRD and XPS provided insights into the crystalline structure and elemental composition. TEM and SEM revealed uniform dispersion of ZnO and PPy, ensuring optimal surface interaction. UV-DRS analysis showed enhanced visible light absorption, while PL spectra demonstrated effective suppression of charge carrier recombination, with EIS indicating reduced charge transfer resistance, thus promoting superior separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. Photocatalytic evaluations highlighted the remarkable efficiency of GZP1 achieving 97% degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) and 93% degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) at a low concentration of 10 mg/100 mL, with consistent performance over four cycles. Active species analysis identified holes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the key contributors to degradation. These results establish GZP as a promising photocatalyst with high reusability and efficiency, addressing critical water purification challenges.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jnt/8823568
spellingShingle Ankoor Sura
Amanvir Singh
Sudha Narwal
Arjun Singh
Vandana Sehrawat
Bharti Dahiya
Vikas Kumar
Ujjawal Sharma
Lakshita Phor
Sonia Nain
Virat Khanna
Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
Journal of Nanotechnology
title Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
title_full Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
title_fullStr Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
title_short Harnessing Synergy in g-C3N4/ZnO/PPy Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic and Antibiotic Pollutants
title_sort harnessing synergy in g c3n4 zno ppy nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of phenolic and antibiotic pollutants
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/jnt/8823568
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