Abstract
This work examined the photocatalytic destruction of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a widely used antibiotic, under simulated solar radiation using iron-doped titanium dioxide as the photocatalyst. Amongst the various iron/titania ratios examined (in the range 0%–2%), the catalyst at 0.04% Fe/TiO2 molar ratio exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The reaction rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, where the apparent kinetic constant was reduced as the initial concentration of SMX or humic acid increased. The photodecomposition of SMX was favored in natural pH but retarded at alkaline conditions. Unexpectedly, the presence of bicarbonates (in the range of 0.125–2 g/L) improved the removal of SMX, however, experiments conducted in real environmental matrices showed that process efficiency decreased as the complexity of the water matrix increased. The presence of sodium persulfate as an electron acceptor enhanced the reaction rate. However, only a small synergy was observed between the two individual processes. On the contrary, the addition of tert-butanol, a well-known hydroxyl radical scavenger, hindered the reaction, indicating the significant contribution of these radicals to the photocatalytic degradation of SMX. The photocatalyst retained half of its initial activity after five successive experiments.
Highlights
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Fleming was a focal point for improving human health and increasing life expectancy [1]
The production of new drugs has been accompanied by their misuse, resulting in a large number of pharmaceutical compounds being detected in environmental samples
In a previous work from our group, we have demonstrated that the use of platinum-doped titanium dioxide can improve the photocatalytic degradation of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A under simulated solar irradiation
Summary
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Fleming was a focal point for improving human health and increasing life expectancy [1]. Due to the impressive results of penicillin, a large part of the scientific community was involved in the production of new synthetic antibiotics that could further improve the quality of human life [2]. The production of new drugs has been accompanied by their misuse, resulting in a large number of pharmaceutical compounds being detected in environmental samples. Many studies indicate the detection of pharmaceuticals in both wastewater treatment plants, as well as surface and groundwater [3,4,5,6]. Exposure to antibiotics may lead to an increase in microbial resistance to antibiotics, and a decrease in their efficacy [10]
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