Photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin under UV, visible and solar light using ceria nanoparticles

Abstract

Heterogeneous photocatalysis using ceria (CeO2) is one of the promising methods for the removal of antibiotics residuals from water bodies. In this work, we synthesized pure ceria nanoparticles in ultrasmall dimension by simple precipitation method starting from cerium nitrate for the removal of norfloxacin (NOF) which is a widely used antibiotic. Three different ceria catalysts were prepared by varying the concentration of the precipitating agent NH3. The samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, DR UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM and TEM. Photocatalytic degradation of NOF was studied under UV, visible and solar light irradiation. The effect of irradiation time, catalyst weight, solution volume and antibiotic concentration on photocatalytic activity were studied under UV light. Maximum degradation of 98.9% of NOF, was obtained with ceria synthesized by the addition of 2 M NH3 to the precursor solution.