Transition metal nickel nanoparticle-decorated g-C3N4 photocatalyst for improving tetracycline hydrochloride degradation

[Display omitted] •Ni0 NPs-decoraded g-C3N4 synthesized through solvothermal method in DMF solvent.•Uniform dispersion of Ni NPs on the C3N4 layers boots photocatalytic efficiency.•Optimized Ni/g-C3N4 demonstrates TCH photodegradation rate of 6.0 × 10−3 min−1.•Strong interaction between Ni0 NPs and the g-C3N4 boots charge separation efficiency. Metallic nickel nanoparticles (Ni0 NPs)-supported g-C3N4 have been developed using a solvothermal technique in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. A uniformly dispersion of Ni0 NPs anchored on a g-C3N4 photocatalyst can improve the photocatalytic efficiency. The optimized Ni/g-C3N4 catalyst demonstrated a high photodegradation rate of TCH at 6.0 × 10−3 min−1 under LED light irradiation, which was approximately three times greater than that of the bare g-C3N4 catalyst. This superior performance originates from the capable separation of electron-hole pairs, facilitated by the strong interaction between Ni0 NPs and the host g-C3N4, as supported by optical and electrochemical property analysis. Our work provides a facile manner for the effective degradation of pollutants using heterojunction photocatalysts.