ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Photoassisted construction of Ag nanoparticles embedded on exfoliated g-C₃N₄ matrix toward detection–removal of organic pollution-based SERS sensor

Ton Nu Quynh Trang, Nguyen Tran Gia Bao, and Vu Thi Hanh Thu

Faculty of Physics and Physics Engineering, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

E-mail: vththu@hcmus.edu.vn

Received: 14 February 2025  Accepted: 7 July 2025

Abstract:

Currently, there is an urgent demand for the development of highly efficient methods for detecting and eliminating organic pollutants through green degradation. Herein, a simple and controllable in situ growth approach was employed to attach Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) onto exfoliated g-C₃N₄ nanosheets (Ag@g-C₃N₄), creating a sensitive and recyclable SERS platform for organic pollutant detection. Owing to the remarkable enrichment effect provided by the numerous small Ag NPs, the hybrid platform exhibited excellent behavior in SERS-based detection of trace amounts of Rhodamin B (RhB) molecules, achieving an ultralow detection of 10^–10 M. Meanwhile, the g-C₃N₄ supporting matrix exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance with a photodegradation efficiency of 92% in 60 min under visible light irradiation due to the outstanding photocatalytic properties of g-C₃N₄, which maintained consistently high activity over four consecutive testing cycles. Additionally, the bifunctional sample displayed an attractive self-cleaning property under visible light irradiation, facilitating recyclable SERS sensing applications. The excellent performance of the bifunctional sample primarily originates from the synergistic interaction between g-C₃N₄ and Ag, leading to an increased specific surface area, a higher density of active sites, and improved separation and transportation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. This designed bifunctional matrix may become an impressive “detection–degradation” process, enabling both the identification and elimination of dye pollutants in wastewater.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords: SERS; Photocatalysis; Plasmonic enhancement; g-C3N4; Self-cleaning

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04242-x

Chemical Papers 79 (10) 7011–7024 (2025)