Construction of novel Ce2(WO4)3/rGO nanocomposites for efficient photocatalytic mitigation of antibiotic drug chloramphenicol

Abstract

In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of a novel cerium tungstate decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ce2(WO4)3@rGO or CeW@rGO) nanocomposite via a facile hydrothermal method. Comprehensive analyses including XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, and XPS were conducted to elucidate the crystal structure, chemical states, morphology, and optical properties of the synthesized nanocomposite. The CeW@rGO exhibited a reduced band gap of 2.14 eV compared to 2.33 eV for CeW, enhancing visible light absorption. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated the superior efficiency of CeW@rGO, achieving 98.03 % degradation of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CIP) within 45 min under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the improved charge separation and extended lifetime of photo-induced charge carriers, facilitated by the rGO. Reactive oxidative species such as O2•− and •OH were identified as key contributors to the degradation process, as confirmed by radical scavenging studies. The plausible degradation mechanism of CIP was proposed based on LC-MS analysis. This work highlights the potential of CeW@rGO as an efficient and sustainable photocatalyst for environmental remediation, offering significant advancements in the field of photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants. The improved efficiency of the photocatalyst was primarily due to the enlarged surface area and the addition of CeW and rGO to the composite sample. These additions enhance the catalyst's ability to adsorb pollutants and increase the separation of electrons and holes at the interface between two semiconductors by creating an internal electric field. The results toprovide the successfully creation ofCeW/rGO nanocomposites that are cost-effective, highly efficient, lightweight, and sustainable for use in environmental applications.