Serine mesoporous organosilicon modified carbon nitride (g-C3N4@Ser-PMO) for degradation of ofloxacin

Novel composite material (g-C 3 N 4 @Ser-PMO) based on the combination of serine mesoporous organosilicon (Ser-PMO) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) was designed to purify water containing antibiotic under light illumination. Serine mesoporous organosilicon was first formed by using self-created organosilicon precursor with serine as organic silicon resource in the presence of g-C 3 N 4 under template via co-condensation method. The structural, morphological and optical properties of composite material were confirmed by series of characterizations including XRD, FTIR, N 2 adsorption-desorption, UV–vis DRS spectra, TEM and XPS spectra. These results displayed that ordered mesoporous channels were formed on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride to enhance optical properties. Meanwhile, Serine was first induced in mesoporous framework to provide active sites. During photo-degradation experiment of ofloxacin in water, composite material exhibited excellent degradation efficiency. 99 % of ofloxacin was nearly degraded under the light irradiation in 90 min, compared with pristine g-C 3 N 4 . Moreover, composite material showed good stability and recyclability after multiple cycle experiments, which provided an ideal way to alleviate the pollution problem from antibiotics in water.