Synthesis of Chromium Doped g-C3N4/CeO2 with Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Levofloxacin Degradation

In this work, a novel binary g-C3N4/CeO2 nanocomposite doped with chromium by different doping percentages (1%, 3%, 5%) is used for the photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin under visible light irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts by the hydrothermal method were characterized by XRD, SEM, HTEM and studied by UV, PL and CV. The UV-visible reflectance spectra showed a shift of the absorption edge to a longer visible region upon loading CeO2 with Cr thus forming new dopant energy levels that facilitate the interfacial charge transfer of both electrons (e−) and holes (h+) implying an enhanced photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites in the visible region. The experimental photodegradation results reveal that the g-C3N4/CeO2(Cr3%) photocatalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity, with 100% degradation efficiency after 90 min under visible light irradiation. Recycling tests suggest a high photostability and reusability of the photocatalyst. Schematic diagram for the possible photocatalytic mechanism of the Cr doped g-C3N4/CeO2 composite under visible light irradiation.