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

Abstract 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.