A review on impressive Z- and S-scheme photocatalysts composed of g-C3N4 for detoxification of antibiotics

With the striking release of antibiotic wastewater into the aqueous environments, currently, antibiotic contaminations have become a drastic worldwide issue. To alleviate this issue, diverse studies on the degradation and elimination of these highly stable recalcitrant compounds are carried out. In this respect, heterogeneous photocatalysis has attracted notable consideration of research communities, because of its promising potential to eliminate these pollutants from aquatic environments through an economical, green, and efficacious procedure. As a metal-free photocatalyst, g-C₃N₄ has inspired enormous consideration owing to its extraordinary characteristics. Nonetheless, the finite visible-light harvesting amount, quick recombination of charges, insignificant oxidation power, and poor textural attributes are the crucial disadvantages of g-C₃N₄, limiting its photocatalytic ability. These obstacles can be impressively resolved through the fabrication of g-C₃N₄-based heterojunction systems with semiconductors having proper energy bands. Till now, various semiconductors have been utilized to develop Z- and S-scheme systems by g-C₃N₄. Accordingly, this review summarizes lately developed impressive photocatalysts fabricated by anchoring g-C₃N₄ with various semiconductors through Z- and S-scheme structures for the photocatalytic degradation of various antibiotics. Ultimately, several perspectives on the future progress and challenges in the arena of photocatalytic elimination of antibiotics over promising photocatalysts are represented.