Application of Fluorinated g-C₃N₄ Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Food Processing Wastewaters

Session

Agriculture, Food Science and Technology

Description

Organic pollutants such as dyes and residues from food processing industries are a major concern for environmental and public health. In this study, we report the synthesis and evaluation of highly fluorinated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-based photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of methyl orange (MO), a model pollutant representative of food dye contaminants. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is a promising metal-free photocatalyst, yet its photocatalytic efficiency is hindered by limited visible light absorption and high electron–hole recombination rates. In this study, we report the preparation and characterization of highly fluorinated g-C₃N₄-based materials via direct fluorination using pure F₂ gas at room temperature. Three distinct pristine carbonitride precursors—standard g-C₃N₄, defective gC₃N₄, and carbon-rich g-C₃N₄—were synthesized through thermal treatment of melamine and polycarboxylic acid adducts and subsequently fluorinated under controlled conditions (1.5 h, 40 mL/min F₂, 20 °C). The fluorinated materials exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance toward methyl orange (MO) degradation under visible light irradiation compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts. Comprehensive structural and physicochemical characterization (XRD, DRIFT, TEM, DRS, EPR, TG-MS-FTIR) revealed that fluorination increased the band gap energy, reduced electron–hole recombination, and induced sp²-to-sp³ rehybridization via formation of stable C–F and N–F bonds. The maximum F/C atomic ratio achieved was approximately 0.96, surpassing conventional fluorination approaches. These findings demonstrate that high-level fluorination via pure F₂ gas is an effective strategy for tuning the electronic and structural properties of g-C₃N₄, thereby improving its applicability in photocatalysis for environmental remediation.

Keywords:

g-C₃N₄, fluorination, photocatalysis, F₂ gas, carbonitride, methyl orange, band gap, EPR, DRS

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-41-2

Location

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Start Date

25-10-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2025 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.176

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 26th, 6:00 PM

Application of Fluorinated g-C₃N₄ Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Food Processing Wastewaters

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Organic pollutants such as dyes and residues from food processing industries are a major concern for environmental and public health. In this study, we report the synthesis and evaluation of highly fluorinated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-based photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of methyl orange (MO), a model pollutant representative of food dye contaminants. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is a promising metal-free photocatalyst, yet its photocatalytic efficiency is hindered by limited visible light absorption and high electron–hole recombination rates. In this study, we report the preparation and characterization of highly fluorinated g-C₃N₄-based materials via direct fluorination using pure F₂ gas at room temperature. Three distinct pristine carbonitride precursors—standard g-C₃N₄, defective gC₃N₄, and carbon-rich g-C₃N₄—were synthesized through thermal treatment of melamine and polycarboxylic acid adducts and subsequently fluorinated under controlled conditions (1.5 h, 40 mL/min F₂, 20 °C). The fluorinated materials exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance toward methyl orange (MO) degradation under visible light irradiation compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts. Comprehensive structural and physicochemical characterization (XRD, DRIFT, TEM, DRS, EPR, TG-MS-FTIR) revealed that fluorination increased the band gap energy, reduced electron–hole recombination, and induced sp²-to-sp³ rehybridization via formation of stable C–F and N–F bonds. The maximum F/C atomic ratio achieved was approximately 0.96, surpassing conventional fluorination approaches. These findings demonstrate that high-level fluorination via pure F₂ gas is an effective strategy for tuning the electronic and structural properties of g-C₃N₄, thereby improving its applicability in photocatalysis for environmental remediation.