3D-printed Al 2 O 3 framework supported carbon-bridged tri-s-triazine of g-C 3 N 4 for photocatalytic tetracycline oxidation

Powder -like g-C 3 N 4 has been widely used as a photocatalyst but exhibits several drawbacks, including unrecyclable, high charge recombination, and limited light absorption. In this study, carbon -bridged g-C 3 N 4 was successfully prepared and coated on a 3D -printed Al 2 O 3 substrate for the photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline. Oxamide (OD), malonamide (MD), and succinamide (SD) were used as carbon -containing linkers to react with precursors (melamine and urea) and produce carbon -bridged g-C 3 N 4 . Carbon substitution at the bridged N atoms of g-C 3 N 4 improved light absorption, reduced charge recombination, and resulted in high photocatalytic tetracycline removal efficiency. Computational calculations were also employed, and Bader charge analysis supported the charge redistribution and charge transfer of the carbon -bridged g-C 3 N 4 samples. Our results indicated that the degradation of tetracycline followed step-by-step oxidation, deamination, and mineralization to form CO 2 and H 2 O. The 3D -printed Al 2 O 3 -supported carbon -bridged g-C 3 N 4 exhibited a high removal rate of 85 - 90 % and stability for photocatalytic reactions and can be reused for at least 10 cycles. This study demonstrates that the 3D -printed Al 2 O 3 -supported carbon -bridged g-C 3 N 4 catalyst is an efficient and effective catalyst support system for photocatalytic reactions.