LAUSR

Abstract Herein, the efficiency of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in photocatalytic degradation process has been improved with the assistance of two strategies, which were attributed to acid-assisted intercalation followed by lanthanum doping. The study highlighted the preparation of an outstanding g-C3N4 structure with high specific surface area, decreased band gap and high C/N content. The enhancement was primarily investigated by intercalation of g-C3N4 substrate. The acid-assisted intercalation route enhanced specific surface area from 46.8 to 124.1 m2/g, resulting enhanced adsorptive and photocatalytic removal. Then, the intercalated g-C3N4 nanosheets were doped with lanthanum that exhibited extended sun-light absorption and decreased the recombination rate of the photo-excited species. XPS analysis revealed the higher C/N atoms ratio into g-C3N4 structure, boosting the charge separation efficiency. The synergic effect of textural and electronic modifications resulted an excellent photocatalytic performance for antibiotic (tetracycline) degradation. In case of La/CN (20 %), the rate constant (k = 0.0201 min−1) was found as 5.58 times higher than that of pristine g-C3N4 (k = 0.0036 min−1). This study suggested a new facile route for photocatalytic utilization of g-C3N4.