Tools
Tools
Reduan, Allysha R., Nair, Reshma, Joseph, Danielson Ngo, Patel, Bhaven, Vincent, Micky, Ganguly, Priyanka and Kanakaraju, Devagi (2026) From waste to functional material: POME-derived Ag/g-C3N4 for pharmaceutical degradation and energy storage. Ceramics International. pp. 1-15. ISSN 0272-8842
Antibiotic pollution in aquatic ecosystems and the growing demand for sustainable energy storage highlight the need for multifunctional materials with adjustable interfacial properties. This study developed silver (Ag)-modified g-C3N4 composites through a green method using palm oil mill effluent (POME) extract as a natural reducing agent. Structural and optical characterizations (FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD, UV–Vis DRS, BET surface area) confirmed the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles, thereby reducing the bandgap from 2.80 to 2.30 eV and improving visible-light absorption. The 10% Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalyst showed efficient charge separation and interfacial electron transfer, achieving a maximum oxytetracycline (OTR) removal of 74.8% under simulated solar light. Process optimization using response surface methodology (Box–Behnken design) identified catalyst dose and solution pH as key factors, with optimal conditions (0.06 g catalyst, 14 ppm OTR, pH 12) producing performance in line with model predictions. Electrochemical tests further indicated that Ag addition enhanced the charge-storage capacity of g-C3N4, with the 8% Ag/g-C3N4 composite displaying the highest specific capacitance (43.59 mF g-1 at 2 mA) and energy density (6.05 μWh kg-1), along with the lowest charge-transfer resistance. This improvement is due to better electrical conductivity and ion transport at the Ag/g-C3N4 interface. In a textile-based supercapacitor, the 8% Ag composite with 1 M Na2SO4 hydrogel delivered superior performance (2.96 mF g-1, 0.411 μWh kg-1, and 128 μWh kg-1), showing enhanced redox activity and ion mobility. These results demonstrate that interfacial engineering of Ag/g-C3N4 is a promising approach for creating dual-functional materials for energy storage and environmental clean-up.
![[thumbnail of Revised-manuscript_Ceramics-International_Clean-version.pdf]](https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png "Revised-manuscript_Ceramics-International_Clean-version.pdf")
Restricted to Repository staff only until 7 April 2028.
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0.
Download (2MB) | Request a copy
 |
View Item |