Efficient pollutant removal using tetrahydrofuran functionalized carbon nitride nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Photocatalysis offers a green and promising strategy for light-driven pollutant degradation to address water pollution. Yet, challenges in conversion efficiency and cost-efficiency propel the search for effective metal-free photocatalysts. Here, we employ a ball milling technique using organic solvent molecules to enhance the exfoliation of g-C3N4 nanosheets. Incorporating tetrahydrofuran, with its distinctive five-membered monooxygenase ring structure, endows exfoliated CN nanosheets (TCN) with remarkable electron-donating capabilities, expanding specific surface area and active sites, essential for intricate photocatalytic reactions. Comparative assessments unequivocally establish TCN's superiority, revealing a remarkable 3.6-fold enhancement in RhB dye degradation and a remarkable 99.7 % removal efficiency. TCN demonstrates rapid, complete reduction of heavy metal ions (Cr6+) under natural sunlight within 10 min and exhibits a significant 2.3-fold antibiotic degradation enhancement over pristine CN. This pioneering work unveils the mechanisms behind TCN's superior photocatalytic performance, offering insights into designing advanced photocatalysts for crucial water purification applications.