Enhancing the efficiency of magnetically driven carbon nitride-based nanocomposites with magnetic nanoflowers for the removal of methylene blue dye at neutral pH.

Abstract

The present study focuses on the elaboration of magnetic nanocomposites by the in situ incorporation of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) with spherical and nanoflower-like morphologies in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) sheets using two different synthetic routes. Nanomaterials are characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, zetametry, vibrating sample magnetometry, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The decoration of the carbon nitride matrix with the magnetic NPs enhanced optical and textural properties. The influence of the morphology of the magnetic NPs on the adsorptive and photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposites under different pH conditions (4.5, 6.9, and 10.6) was assessed from batch tests to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. In extreme pH conditions, the nanocomposites exhibited lower or equivalent MB removal capacity compared to the pure g-C₃N₄. However, at neutral medium, the nanocomposite with incorporated Fe₃O₄ nanoflowers showed a significantly higher removal efficiency (80.7%) due to the combination of a high adsorption capacity and a good photocatalytic activity in this pH region. The proposed nanocomposite is a promising alternative to remove cationic dyes from water by magnetic assistance, since no pH adjustment of the polluted effluent is required, reducing costs and environmental impact in the dyeing industry.