Metal-Free g-C3N4/Nanodiamond Heterostructures for Enhanced Photocatalytic Pollutant Removal and Bacteria Photoinactivation

Heterogeneous photocatalysis has emerged as a promising alternative for both micropollutant removal and bacterial inactivation under solar irradiation. Among variety of photocatalysts explored in the literature, graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is metal-free semiconductor with acceptable chemical stability, low toxicity, excellent cost-effectiveness. To minimize its high charge recombination rate increase photocatalyst adsorption capacity whilst keeping system idea, we proposed heterojunction formation g-C3N4 diamond nanocrystals (DNCs), also known nanodiamonds. Samples containing different amounts DNCs were assessed pollutant from water light-activated antibacterial agents against Staphylococcus sureus. The sample 28.3 wt.% presented best photocatalytic efficiency methylene blue, removing 71% initial dye concentration after 120 min, pseudo-first-order kinetic constant 0.0104 min−1, which nearly twice value pure (0.0059 min−1). was able to promote an enhanced reduction growth illumination, demonstrating capability aureus. activity discussed attributed (i) increased promoted by presence DNCs; (ii) reduced due type-II formation; (iii) light absorption effectiveness; (iv) better transfer resistance. These results show that g-C3N4/DNC are low-cost photoactive catalysts wastewater treatment bacteria.