Mitigating phytotoxicity of tetracycline by metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized carbon nitride photocatalyst

Photooxidative removal of pharmaceuticals and organic dyes is an effective way to eliminate growing micropollutants. However, photooxidation often results in byproducts as secondary hazardous substances such as phytotoxins. Herein, we found that photooxidation of common antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) over a metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) functionalized carbon nitride (CN) photocatalyst significantly reduces the TCH phytotoxic effect. The phytotoxicity test of photocatalytic treated TCH-solution evaluated towards seed growth of Cicer arietinum plant model endowed natural root and shoot growth. This study highlights the conceptual insights in designing of metal-free photocatalyst for environmental remediation.