Analysing the efficacy of TiO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrid electrospun membranes for visible-light photocatalytic water purification

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 854; p. 141547
• Main Authors: Padmanabhan, Nisha T., Sabin, Christeena, Unni Krishnan, H., Hrithik, M., Mythili, Ushamani, Jayaraj, Madambi K., John, Honey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Electrospinning technique; Photodegradation; Titania; Water treatment; Wettability; Photodegradation; Water treatment; Wettability; Electrospinning technique; Titania
• ISSN: 0009-2614
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2024.141547

[Display omitted] •Electrospun hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes with photocatalytic TiO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrids.•Visible-light photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2/g-C3N4 boosted: 3× higher than g-C3N4, 1.5× than TiO2.•Membranes demonstrate effective MB removal by photodegradation and adsorption addressing water purification needs.•Demonstrated stability over three consecutive cycles underscores the practical feasibility of membranes. The significance and reliability of membrane-based water purification in wastewater recycling are emphasized in this study. Hydrophilic cellulose acetate and hydrophobic polycaprolactam membranes incorporated with TiO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrids were fabricated by electrospinning. Synthesis of TiO2/g-C3N4 nanohybrids employed a sol–gel-assisted hydrothermal method, while g-C3N4 through fractional thermal polymerization of acetic acid-modified melamine. The optimized photocatalytic hybrid exhibited methylene blue degradation by a 1.5-fold increase in photoactivity compared to pristine TiO2 and a 3-fold increase compared to g-C3N4. Upon incorporation into electrospun membranes, the hybrids demonstrated effective degradation of Methylene blue dye by photocatalysis, and the membranes exhibited excellent stability over multiple cycles.