Modulation of Electronic Availability in g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Using Nickel (II), Manganese (II), and Copper (II) to Enhance the Disinfection and Photocatalytic Properties
Angie V. Lasso-Escobar,
Elkin Darío C. Castrillon,
Jorge Acosta,
Sandra Navarro,
Estefanía Correa-Penagos,
John Rojas,
Yenny P. Ávila-Torres
Affiliations
Angie V. Lasso-Escobar
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
Elkin Darío C. Castrillon
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
Jorge Acosta
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
Sandra Navarro
Grupo de Investigación Cecoltec, Cecoltec Services, Cra 43 A 18 sur 135, Medellín 050022, Colombia
Estefanía Correa-Penagos
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
John Rojas
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
Yenny P. Ávila-Torres
Environmental Remediation and Biocatalysis Research Group (GIRAB), Institute of Chemistry, University of Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050014, Colombia
Carbon nitrides can form coordination compounds or metallic oxides in the presence of transition metals, depending on the reaction conditions. By adjusting the pH to basic levels for mild synthesis with metals, composites like g-C3N4-M(OH)x (where M represents metals) were obtained for nickel (II) and manganese (II), while copper (II) yielded coordination compounds such as Cu-g-C3N4. These materials underwent spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization, revealing their photocatalytic potential to generate superoxide anion radicals—a feature consistent across all metals. Notably, the copper coordination compound also produced significant hydroxyl radicals. Leveraging this catalytic advantage, with band gap energy in the visible region, all compounds were activated to disinfect E. coli bacteria, achieving total disinfection with Cu-g-C3N4. The textural properties influence the catalytic performance, with copper’s stabilization as a coordination compound enabling more efficient activity compared to the other metals. Additionally, the determination of radicals generated under light in the presence of dicloxacillin supported the proposed mechanism and highlighted the potential for degrading organic molecules with this new material, alongside its disinfectant properties.
