Photocatalytic activity study of sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride prepared using thiourea as precursor at different heating conditions / Nurul Ain Najihah Abdul Rahim

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a polymer with a structure similar to graphene, consisting of carbon and nitrogen atoms arranged in a graphitic structure. It has unique electronic and structural properties that make it suitable for photocatalytic processes. It also has advantages such as low manufacturing cost, high quantum yield, and nontoxicity. This study aims to determine photocatalytic performance of sulfur doped g-C3N4 synthesized from thiourea under different heating conditions, presenting a novel approach to metal-free photocatalysis for wastewater treatment. Various heating rates (1, 3, 5, and 10 °C/min) at various temperatures (400, 450, 500, and 550°C) are the parameter condition in preparing S-g-C3N4. The produced g-C3N4 performed FTIR analysis, which identifies various functional groups. The primary peaks were located at 800-1000 cm⁻¹ (C-N-C), 1200-1700 cm⁻¹ (C=N and C=C), 2100-2140 cm⁻¹ (C≡C), and 2700-3200 cm⁻¹ (N-H/O-H) referring to prepared sample of sulfur doped g-C3N4 The sample 450(3) shows a pure g-C3N4 composition, as evidenced by the absence of the C-N located between 2100 and 2140 cm⁻¹. The photocatalytic degradation of prepared samples was observed using reactive red 4 (RR4) dye as a model pollutant. 450(3) shows the optimum pseudo first order rate constant with 0.0373 min-1 where it is 11.6 times faster as compared with 500(3) sample.This research contributes to the 10-10 MySTIE initiative, offering insights into advanced materials and environmental biodiversity. The findings provide valuable implications for the synthesis and application of g-C3N4 as a sustainable and effective metal-free photocatalyst in wastewater treatment processes.