Effect of synthesis strategies on morphology and antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)

Abstract Different morphologies of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), including bulk g C- 3N4 (B-CN), ultrathin nanosheet g-C3N4(N CN), and porous g-C- 3N4 (P-CN) were synthesized through a facile one-step approach. They were then employed as efficient photocatalysts under visible light to degrade methylene blue (MB) and deactivate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The synthesized powders were characterized using various industry standard techniques and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis successfully represented the various morphologies of g-C3N4. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of synthesized samples were examined, and the results revealed that B- CN, N CN, and P-CN powders could eliminate around 64%, 82%, and 99% of- E. coli under visible light irradiation and about 30%, 56, and 67% in dark conditions. On the other hand, the bacterial reduction rate of S. aureus was approximately 61%, 74%, and 99% for B-CN, N-CN, and P-CN powders under visible light irradiation and about 38%, 60%, and 77% in dark conditions. The SEM analysis revealed that P-CN caused E. coli and S. aureus bacteria to rupture, completely separating their internal contents from the cell membrane. g-C3N4 photocatalytic antibacterial agents can be utilized as a unique potential solution for nosocomial infection management.