Harnessing the Power of g-CN Nanosheets for Tetracycline Removal from Water

Water contamination by antibiotics poses grave threats to both human health and ecosystems. Traditional wastewater treatment techniques often fall short in effectively removing pollutants, necessitating innovative and efficient approaches. With the increasing application of nanotechnology in environmental remediation, novel materials like g-CN nanosheets are making significant strides in wastewater treatment, particularly in the removal of antibiotics like tetracycline (TC).

Understanding g-CN Nanosheets

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-CN) nanosheets are two-dimensional materials that have shown promise in environmental remediation due to their mesoporous nature and high specific surface area. Using techniques such as XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, and BET, researchers have been able to characterise these nanosheets and understand their stability at different pH levels. These materials have been synthesised and applied as a photocatalyst in a split-type Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor (PMR) for the removal of TC from water.

Optimisation of TC Removal Process

Several parameters play a crucial role in the process of TC removal from water. These include irradiation time, pH, catalyst dosage, TC initial concentration, and filtration iteration. By optimising these conditions, researchers have achieved a maximum TC removal efficiency of 94.8%, demonstrating the high reliability and reproducibility of this PMR system.

Reusability of g-CN Nanosheets

The sustainability of any wastewater treatment approach also relies heavily on the reusability of the catalyst. The g-CN nanosheets used in the PMR system have shown efficient TC removal even after seven cycles, maintaining a removal efficiency of 74.2%. This attribute underlines the potential of g-CN nanosheets in long-term wastewater treatment applications.

Expanding the Horizon of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment

With the primary focus on g-CN nanosheets, researchers have also explored other nanomaterials for wastewater treatment. For instance, a nanocomposite of holmium doped lanthanum cobaltite with graphitic carbon nitride has shown potential in photocatalytic removal of pollutants. Similarly, cobalt bismuth oxide (CBO) nanosheets synthesised through a low-temperature solvothermal method have demonstrated excellent performance in the degradation of TC.

Looking Forward

While g-CN nanosheets and similar nanomaterials offer a promising solution to the challenge of water contamination, more research is needed to assess their environmental impact and sustainability. The commercialisation of these materials also needs to be explored further. The pressing need for antibiotic-free water, coupled with the potential of nanotechnology in wastewater treatment, calls for continued research and innovation in this domain.