Disintegration of lignocellulosic material through visible light SiO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst for biogas generation

This study presents the synthesis of g-C3N4 and the fabrication of SiO₂/g-C3N4 via the hydrothermal polycondensation method, serving as a highly efficient visible light activated photocatalyst for enhancing anaerobic digestion and biogas production from rice straw through pretreatment at various time intervals. The efficacy of the pretreatment was evaluated using a range of analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, and UV–vis analysis. The results showcased a remarkable 81 % reduction in silica content compared to untreated rice straw, along with a significant 121 % increase in biogas production. The study demonstrate that the 7-h treatment duration facilitates the highest silica reduction and biogas yield. These findings underscore the immense potential of SiO₂/g-C3N4 as a promising catalyst for rice straw pretreatment, thereby leading to enhanced biogas production during anaerobic digestion.