Synergistic performance of Z-scheme based g-CN/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S/GO nanocomposite towards sustainable model organic pollutants detoxification: Mechanistic insights and practical implications

Effective removal of organic pollutants in aqueous suspensions remains a critical challenge due to the complexity and stability of contaminants, which demand advanced materials for efficient photocatalytic detoxification. In this study, a Z-scheme heterojunction material was fabricated using a one-pot thermal impregnation technique, aiming to address these challenges. The unique combination of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN), zinc cadmium sulfide (ZnCdS), and graphene oxide (GO) imparts synergistically robust performance for the removal of organic pollutants under various real-world water conditions. Interestingly, among the synthesized materials, the g-CN/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S/GO (2:1) ternary nanocomposite presented well-improved detoxification proficiencies in mineralized water compared to those of pure and binary materials. Importantly, significant detoxification performances of approximately 99.9 % for ciprofloxacin, 99.8 % for methyl orange, and 92 % for 4-nitrophenol were observed within 60–150 min of irradiation. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted on the degradation of ciprofloxacin, methyl orange, and 4-nitrophenol with the most recent work, which emphasized that g-CN/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S/GO (2:1) nanocomposite has the superior ability to remove the pollutants under optimized parameters. Furthermore, the material showed impressive mineralization rates of 72 %, 68 %, and 78 % for the respective pollutants, signifying the excellent mineralization degree. GC-MS analysis confirmed the degradation and transformation of ciprofloxacin over time, revealing potential pathways for its photocatalytic decontamination. Lastly, no changes in the prominent peaks of FTIR spectra and morphological structures after multiple experimental cycles, suggesting the significant stability of nanocomposite material. Consequently, these outstanding performances of g-CN/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S/GO (2:1) nanocomposite feature the remarkable potential for catalytic water purification technologies.