Eriobotrya japonica assisted green synthesis of g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites and its exceptional photoactivities for doxycycline and rhodamine B degradation with mechanism insight

In this novel research work, for the first time, green g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites have been synthesized by utilizing Eriobotrya japonica as a stabilizer and mediator. Based on DRS absorbance spectra, TGA, fluorescence spectra related to •OH amount, photoelectrochemical curves, TPD, and BET results, it has been confirmed the Eriobotrya japonica mediated green g-C₃N₄ (G-CNS) nanosheets are efficient, stable, and more than 2.4 times enhancement in activities as compared with conventional chemically synthesized g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. In order to further improve the performance, the as-synthesized green g-C₃N₄ was modified with SnO₂ nanosheets. Our results confirmed that coupling of SnO₂ nanosheets prolonged the lifetime of charge carriers and provided catalytic function. Compared with pristine G-CNS, the photocatalytic activity of the resulting 5SO/G-CNS improved by 2.3 and 2.6 times, for doxycycline and rhodamine B degradation, respectively. In addition, the possible photodegradation pathway for doxycycline and RhB mineralization is proposed. Finally, this novel work will provide a new platform for the efficient green synthesis of g-C₃N₄ based nanocomposite and its utilization for environmental remediation.