The main objective of the present
study was to increase the specific
surface area (S
BET) of graphitic carbon
nitride (g-C3N4) prepared from dicyandiamide
by effectively modifying the synthesis procedure using the Simplex
optimization method. A remarkable increase in S
BET was achieved in only a few steps, with the highest value
of 86 m2/g. Compared to the reference material, the improved
photocatalyst exhibited enhanced and unique structural, textural,
optical, and electronic properties, reflected in the improved ability
of the photocatalyst to degrade a variety of organic pollutants dissolved
in water. By performing scavenger and spin-trapping experiments, it
was confirmed that the major reactive oxygen species formed under
visible-light illumination of the enhanced photocatalyst were singlet
oxygen (1O2) and superoxide anion radicals (O2
–•) with a purposed formation mechanism. The enhanced formation of 1O2 enabled high activity and stability of the optimized
materials as well as selective response to degradation of the pharmaceutical
compounds studied. By using the simple and fast Simplex optimization
algorithm to determine new synthesis parameters, we obtained an improved
g-C3N4 that completely degrades bisphenol A
under the conditions studied.