Effect of synthesis strategies on morphology and antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4).

Abstract

Different morphologies of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), including bulk g-C₃N₄(B-CN), ultrathin nanosheet g-C₃N₄(N-CN), and porous g-C₃N₄(P-CN) were synthesized through a facile one-step approach. They were then employed as efficient photocatalysts under visible light to degrade methylene blue and deactivateStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) andEscherichia coli(E. coli) bacteria. The synthesized powders were characterized using various industry standard techniques and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis successfully represented the various morphologies of g-C₃N₄. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of synthesized samples were examined, and the results revealed that B-CN, N-CN, and P-CN powders could eliminate around 64%, 82%, and 99% ofE. coliunder visible light irradiation and about 30%, 56, and 67% in dark conditions. On the other hand, the bacterial reduction rate ofS. aureuswas approximately 61%, 74%, and 99% for B-CN, N-CN, and P-CN powders under visible light irradiation and about 38%, 60%, and 77% in dark conditions. The SEM analysis revealed that P-CN causedE. coliandS. aureusbacteria to rupture, completely separating their internal contents from the cell membrane. g-C₃N₄photocatalytic antibacterial agents can be utilized as a unique potential solution for nosocomial infection management.