Preparation of g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced removal of tetracycline

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) structure g-C3N4 was prepared via thermal oxidation etching at different temperatures. Under simulated solar illumination, the photocatalytic properties of catalysts were estimated by degrading tetracycline (TC). Owing to the enlarged specific surface area, 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, as the temperature increased, the degradation efficiency also increased. When bulk g-C3N4 was exfoliated at 525°C, the highest degradation efficiency of TC reached 84.0%.