C3N5-Cu-doped Co3O4 @NPC nano-cubes heterojunction architecture for sono-photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, electrocatalysis water splitting for HER, and cytotoxic performance

The Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in nitrogen (N)-doped porous carbon (Co₃O₄ NPs@NPC) were dopped to copper-zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-67) and used as sonophotocatalyst and electrocatalyst. Herein, a facile in situ growth ultrasonic (US) strategy is reported for the synthesis of tightly connected C₃N₅-Cu-doped Co₃O₄ NPs @NPC nano-cubes heterojunction nanoarchitecture (NAs) by coupling C₃N₅ with Cu-doped Co₃O₄ NPs@NPC nanocubes. The linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results show that the C₃N₅-Cu-doped Co₃O₄ NPs@NPC electrocatalyst has a remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The sono-photocatalyst activity on sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation is due to synergistic effects of both superoxides (O₂^•−) and hydroxyl radicals (OH^•). The results substantiate 98 % degradation of SMX within 120 min under sonophotodegradation efficiency. The reduction in electron (e^-)-hole (h⁺) recombination is the main efficiency of sonophotodegradation of C₃N₅-Cu-doped Co₃O₄NPs@NPC. This effect was further complemented by the broadening of light absorption by C₃N₅, resulting in reduced degradation time. The enhanced sonophotocatalysis and electrocatalytic performance are due to their high surface area, enhanced conductivity, and faster charge transfer. This work demonstrated that C₃N₅- Cu-doped Co₃O₄NPs@NPC based sonophotocatalyst and electrocatalyst have great potential in SMX degradation and electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production. It also shows superior biocompatibility due to C₃N₅′s role in reducing cytotoxicity compared to Cu-doped Co₃O₄ NPs@NPC.