A facile synthesis of goethite-modified g-C3N4 composite for photocatalytic degradation of tylosin in an aqueous solution

The goethite/g-C3N4 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a simple and convenient method. The properties and structure of the as-prepared catalysts were characterized by a variety of analytical methods. The results indicated goethite was uniformly accumulated on the surface of g-C3N4. Furthermore, a novel binary goethite/g-C3N4 photocatalyst was successfully constructed by loading goethite into the g-C3N4 surface as an electron medium. The photodegradation efficiency of goethite/g-C3N4 composites for TYL was studied under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the photodegradation efficiency of goethite/g-C3N4 composites on TYL is much higher than that of goethite and g-C3N4 under simulated sunlight irradiation. The content of the goethite in the composites was analyzed and compared under simulated solar irradiation to further improve the photocatalytic activity. In all as-synthesized composites, the goethite/g-C3N4 with 50 wt% of goethite have the highest photodegradation efficiency and can decompose almost all TYL within 30 min under simulated solar illumination. A sample of goethite/g-C3N4 also exhibited favorable stability and durability. It is a promising green and non-toxic photocatalyst that can be used to treat water contaminated with antibiotics.