Comparison of the activities of C₂N and BCNO towards Congo red degradation

An n-type organic carbon nitride semiconductor, C₂N, was synthesized by the pyrolysis of uric acid, and its properties were investigated by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray powder diffraction, and vibrational, UV-visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. This novel material, composed of crystalline flakes, featured a broad absorption centered at 700 nm, possibly due to charge transfer, and a 2.49 eV band gap. Its catalytic performance was assessed for the treatment of effluents with the diazo dye Congo red, comparing it with that of boron carbon nitrogen oxide, BCNO. Both wide band gap semiconductors exhibited decolorizing activity in the dark, although the mechanisms were different and were not photocatalytic: BCNO was more effective towards the adsorption-coordination due to the presence of B-O, while C₂N was effective towards the adsorption and the advancement of the oxidation reaction. Their kinetic constants (0.19 and 0.02 min⁻¹ for BCNO and C₂N, respectively) were comparable to those of intermetallic compounds studied for azo dyes degradation in dark conditions. In view of the high color removal efficiency (97% after 20 min) and good reusability of BCNO, this study suggests a potential application of this catalyst for wastewater treatment, alone or in combination with C₂N.