Ultrasonic-assisted decoration of Ag₂WO₄, AgI, and Ag nanoparticles over tubular g-C₃N₄: Plasmonic photocatalysts for impressive removal of tetracycline under visible light

The development of an efficient, eco-friendly, and low-cost photocatalyst is essential for addressing environmental and energy crises. In this regard, we report novel plasmonic photocatalysts through adorning tubular g-C₃N₄ with Ag₂WO₄, Ag, and AgI nanoparticles (TGCN/Ag/Ag₂WO₄/AgI) fabricated via a facile ultrasonic-irradiation procedure. The TGCN/Ag/Ag₂WO₄/AgI (20%) nanocomposite presented the excellent photocatalytic ability for removal of tetracycline hydrochloride under visible light, which was almost 45.6, 4.03, and 1.32 times more than GCN, TGCN, and TGCN/Ag/Ag₂WO₄ (20%) photocatalysts, respectively. Interestingly, the photocatalyst displayed impressive ability for the degradations of amoxicilline, rhodamine B, methyl orange, fuchsine, and methylene blue, which was 14.7, 52.2, 9.8, 13.2, and 7.46 times as much as pure GCN. The outcomes of DRS, PL, EIS, and photocurrent density analyses proved that the impressive activity could be related to the highly promoted harvesting of visible light, segregation of charge carriers, and improved charge migrations. In addition, trapping tests exhibited that ^•O₂⁻ and h⁺ were active species in the photocatalysis process. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]