Waste-Derived Biochar/Graphene Oxide–Sulfur Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Pollutants
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The development of sustainable and efficient photocatalysts for wastewater remediation remains a critical global challenge. In this study, a novel waste-derived biochar/graphene oxide–sulfur-doped carbon nitride (BC/GO–SCN) ternary nanocomposite was successfully synthesized via a facile ultrasonic-assisted assembly followed by mild thermal treatment. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the composite were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic performance was evaluated under visible-light irradiation using methylene blue as a model pollutant. The BC/GO–SCN nanocomposite achieved 96% degradation within 120 min, significantly outperforming pristine SCN (68%) and GO/SCN (85%). Enhanced activity is attributed to synergistic effects, including improved charge separation, extended visible-light absorption, reduced band gap (2.43 eV), and increased adsorption capacity arising from the biochar matrix. Kinetic analysis revealed pseudo-first-order behavior with an apparent rate constant of 0.0285 min⁻¹. Furthermore, the composite exhibited excellent stability, retaining over 87% of its initial efficiency after five successive cycles. This work demonstrates a cost-effective and sustainable strategy for integrating waste-derived materials into high-performance photocatalysts, offering significant potential for practical environmental remediation of emerging pollutants.
