Transition metal nickel nanoparticle-decorated g-C3N4 photocatalyst for improving tetracycline hydrochloride degradation

Metallic nickel nanoparticles (Ni0 NPs)-supported g-C3N4 have been developed using a solvothermal technique in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. A uniformly dispersion of Ni0 NPs anchored on a g-C3N4 photocatalyst can improve the photocatalytic efficiency. The optimized Ni/g-C3N4 catalyst demonstrated a high photodegradation rate of TCH at 6.0 x 10-3 min-1 under LED light irradiation, which was approximately three times greater than that of the bare g-C3N4 catalyst. This superior performance originates from the capable separation of electron- hole pairs, facilitated by the strong interaction between Ni0 NPs and the host g-C3N4, as supported by optical and electrochemical property analysis. Our work provides a facile manner for the effective degradation of pollutants using heterojunction photocatalysts.