Nanofibers Loaded with Nonthermal Nitrogen Plasma-Treated g-C3N4 for Efficient Visible Light-Driven Photodegradation of Omethoate

Photocatalytic degradation is an effective strategy toreduce foodsafety risks caused by the residual organophosphorus pesticide omethoatein fruits and vegetables. In order to avoid secondary pollution ofphotocatalysts and reduce costs, in this paper, visible light-drivenphotocatalytic active composite nanofibers were successfully synthesizedby loading nonthermal nitrogen plasma-treated graphite carbon nitride(g-C3N4) onto poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers.When the carbon nitride loading amount was 0.5%, the photodegradationrate of omethoate by nanofibers was the highest. Although the treatmentof high-power nonthermal nitrogen plasma does not significantly affectthe chemical structure of g-C3N4, it can changethe abundance of its surface reactive sites. This modification significantlyimproved the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4, increasing the photocurrent intensity by more than 90% and increasingthe photodegradation rate of omethoate by more than 100%. Possiblephotocatalytic mechanisms have also been discussed. This work canfurther enhance the application potential of g-C3N4 in the field of pesticide photocatalytic degradation.