Degradation Of Levofloxacin Research Articles

Levofloxacin degradation in electro-Fenton system with FeMn@GF composite electrode

In this work, a one-step solvent-thermal approach was used to synthesize an Mn-doped Fe3O4 modified graphite felt (GF) composite electrode material (FeMn@GF), which was then used as the cathode in an Electro-Fenton (EF) system. The levofloxacin (LEV) in wastewater can be successfully removed by the EF system, which can produce and activate H2O2 in situ. The successful fabrication of the FeMn@GF composite electrode was confirmed by employing the characterization techniques of Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray Diffraction, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Additionally, the electrochemical performance test was conducted. The FeMn@GF composite electrode demonstrated a greater electrochemical activity and a more robust electronic transmission ability. The LEV degradation experiment demonstrated reached 98.9 % that under ambient temperature conditions, within 120 minutes, given initial LEV concentration of 20 mg·L −1, Na2SO4 concentration of 50 mM, applied voltage of 3.0 V, initial pH value of 3, and aeration rate of 3.0 L·min −1.The highest leaching quantities of Fe and Mn were 1.294 mg·L−1 and 0.675 mg·L−1, respectively, while the removal effectiveness of LEV remained at 85.2 % after five cycles. Experiments using radical quenching revealed that the main active species were ·OH. The reaction mechanism of the EF system with FeMn@GF as the cathode (FeMn@GF-EF) and the degradation pathway of LEV were investigated.

Constructing a novel double Z-type junction BaTiO3/ZnIn2S4/ZnTiO3 by a new chemical reaction for antibiotics degradation, H2 production, and CO2 reduction

At present, only single charge transfer channel is available in the study of BaTiO3/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction. In order to overcome this bottleneck, this paper adopts a novel chemical reaction to promote the transformation of ZnIn2S4 into ZnTiO3, thereby creating a novel triphase junction BaTiO3/ZnIn2S4/ZnTiO3 and a new transfer channel. This result leads to the photodegradation efficiencies of the levofloxacin and the lomefloxacin attaining 89 % and 92 % for the light irradiation of 30 minutes. Moreover, the removal efficiencies of the total organic carbon and the chemical oxygen demand reach 65 % and 84 % in the levofloxacin degradation, while these are 63 % and 81 % in the lomefloxacin degradation. Further, the H2 production rate attains 2.47 mmol/g/h, while the CO2 reduction rate to CO also reach 27.43 μmol/g/h. The accurate rate achieves 97.05 % for the prediction of the photocatalytic efficiency based on the Back Propagation neural network. The development toxicity indexes of the intermediate products reduce gradually to indicate the final solution is environmentally friendly. Therefore, the BaTiO3/ZnIn2S4/ZnTiO3 has a potential application in the sewage purification and the clean energy generation.

Peroxymonosulfate Activation by MnO2/CoMoO4/NF for Degradation of Levofloxacin

Peroxymonosulfate Activation by MnO2/CoMoO4/NF for Degradation of Levofloxacin

Ternary photocatalyst Bi5O7I/Bi2O2CO3/Ag2CO3 with double Z-scheme heterojunction for the degradation of levofloxacin under visible light: Practical application and DFT calculation

A novel double Z-scheme heterojunction Bi5O7I/Bi2O2CO3/Ag2CO3 was constructed by a simple hydrothermal calcination and one-step in-situ growth technique, demonstrating efficient levofloxacin degradation (86.9 % in 60 min). The degradation rates of the system are 1.5, 4.1, 1.3 and 1.4 times faster than those of pure Bi5O7I, Bi2O2CO3, Ag2CO3 and binary Bi5O7I/Bi2O2CO3, respectively. The method enhances the photocatalyst performance through improving the separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs (e-/h+) and the production of various free radicals in the double Z-scheme system. The generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (•O2–) and holes (h+) species were directly confirmed by Electron Spin Resonance test, and their contributions on the degradation of Levofloxacin follow the order of h+ > •OH > •O2–. The band structure, density of states, work function and potential sites of contaminant vulnerability in the material were determined by Density Functional Theory (DFT), which provides additional evidence for the formation of double Z-scheme heterojunction. Besides, the degradation experiment was conducted with four real surface water bodies, including lake water, river water, tap water and effluent of sewage treatment plant. The results show that the degradation rate for Levofloxacin reaches 60∼80 %. Moreover, Levofloxacin and its intermediate products were identified and their toxicity was predicted with Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) modelling, which can be useful in the future for the actual design of a double Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst to efficiently remove pollutants under visible light irradiation.

Efficient and stable hydrogen evolution and antibiotic degradation in all-pH-scale water/alkaline seawater using Fe-Co phosphide hollow nanocages fabricated from metallurgical solid waste

The utilization of seawater, a plentiful and cost-effective resource, instead of freshwater for H2 production through electrolysis has garnered significant attention. Herein, we present the synthesis of open-structured Fe-Co phosphide (FCP) nanocages for the overall seawater electrolysis, employing metallurgical solid waste (steel rolling sludge, SRS) as the precursor material. The FCP nanocages demonstrate exceptional catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in all pH scales, achieving performance comparable to that of Pt/C catalysts at high current densities. The electrolyzer assembled with FCP||FCP requires 1.57 and 1.68 V to achieve current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, the assembled FCP electrolyzer showcases over 100 h of cycling stability and nearly 100% Faradaic efficiency. Crucially, it can be powered by commercially available silicon solar panels, operating under an intensity of 100 mW cm−2, and by wind-driven sources, rendering it highly promising for real-world applications. The seawater hydrogen evolution system coupled with levofloxacin (LEV) degradation was constructed for the first time. The oxidation potential of LEV oxidation reaction (LEVOR) was significantly lower than that of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), indicating that the LEV degradation reaction occurred preferentially and achieved a removal efficiency of 98.57% within 60 min. This study provides effective strategies for valorizing SRS and offers insights into the fabrication of high-performance catalysts.

Novel red mud-based FeS2 composite used as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of levofloxacin: Preparation, application and degradation mechanism

Red mud (RM), as industrial waste, was considered as the base material in this study. A heterogeneous catalyst of RM based-FeS2 (RM-FeS2) was prepared using a simple one-step calcination method. RM-FeS2, as an effective activator of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), was utilized in the levofloxacin (LVF) degradation progress. The effect of the preparation conditions on crystal structure and catalytic activity of RM-FeS2 was investigated. The systematic characterizations indicated that the surface area, electrical conductivity and the number of Fe(II) sites of RM were improved after compounding with FeS2. According to the investigation of catalytic performance of RM-FeS2, approximately 87% of LVF (10 mg/L) was degraded in 60 min with the reaction conditions: [RM-FeS2] = 0.2 g/L, [PMS] = 1 mmol/L and initial pH of 6.2. The RM-FeS2 possessed excellent stability and reusability. ·OH, SO4•−, 1O2 and Fe(Ⅳ) were the dominant active species in RM-FeS2/PMS system. Several possible degradation pathways of LVF were proposed. The toxicity of the treated LVF solution was effectively reduced in the RM-FeS2/PMS system. In a word, this study not only realized the resource utilization of RM, but also presented a novel perspective for the effective degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater.

Citric acid modulated strong magnetic CoFe-LDH/CoFe2O4 coupled dielectric barrier discharge plasma for efficient levofloxacin degradation: Enhanced internal electric field and accelerated electron migration

A novel citric acid (CA) modulation strategy was developed to prepare strong magnetic CoFe-LDH/CoFe2O4-C composites, which were combined with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to effectively degrade levofloxacin (LEV) in wastewater. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) test showed that CA modulation facilitated a more powerful internal electric field to drive rapid charge migration. The addition of CoFe-LDH/CoFe2O4-C increased LEV degradation from 78.2% to 98.6% and reduced energy efficiency from 24.77 to 8.93 kWh m–3. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra showed the CoFe-LDH/CoFe2O4-C could take full advantage of the active substances originating from DBD plasma and highlighted the role of 1O2 and ·O2–. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed that the heterojunction can not only drive faster electron migration but also reduce the energy barrier of O3 decomposition. Possible degradation pathways for LEV were proposed. This study opened up a new avenue for the synthesis of applicable catalysts for plasma systems in water treatment areas.

Coupling defect-inherent built-in electric fields to promote directional charge migration for rapid photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin

By enhancing the intrinsic built-in electric field (IEF) of the catalyst through defect engineering, and coupling the IEF of the catalyst via an S-type heterojunction structure, a 3-in-1 IEF is formed, which drives the directional migration of electrons and holes, and can effectively improve photocatalytic performance. In this paper, an oxygen vacancy-type Bi2WO6 (Ov-BWO) composite with twin-type Zn0.5Cd0.5S (ZCS) was synthesized to construct an S-scheme heterojunction. The twin structure results in an IEF in ZCS that points from the twin plane Zn to the twin boundary S. The oxygen vacancies, on the other hand, create an internal electric field from Bi and W to O by altering the local charge density. By coupling the IEF of the catalyst through the S-type heterojunction, an enhanced IEF is formed, pointing from the twin plane Zn to the O in Ov-BWO, enabling rapid directional migration of photogenerated charge carriers. Furthermore, potential Levofloxacin (LVFX) intermediates and degradation pathways were found by combining Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data with Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations. This study systematically elucidates the photocatalytic degradation system, from catalyst design to the degradation process of pollutants, through the analysis of theoretical calculations and experimental results.

Visible-light-response Fe-doped BiOCl microspheres with efficient photocatalysis-Fenton degradation of antibiotics

The combination of photocatalysis and Fenton reaction has been considered as a promising technology for the removal of antibiotics from wastewater. In this study, the Fe-doped BiOCl was synthesized by solvothermal method for photocatalysis-Fenton degradation of levofloxacin (LEV). Fe/BiOCl exhibited a flower-like microsphere structure with the lattice doping of Fe3+ in BiOCl. Under the synergistic of visible light irradiation and H2O2, the excellent degradation performance of Fe/BiOCl towards LEV was achieved (97.8 %) after 100-min reaction at Fe-doping content of 5 % and H2O2 addition of 3 mM. The Fe deposition extended the light absorption range and reduced the recombination of photogenerated carriers. The photogenerated electrons could accelerate the cycling of Fe2+/Fe3+, and improve the utilization efficiency of H2O2. The hydroxyl radical (OH), superoxide radical (O2−) and holes (h+) played crucial roles during the photocatalysis-Fenton degradation of LEV. The present study provided valuable insights into the development of photocatalysis-Fenton synergy system for the effective decontamination of antibiotic wastewater.

Enhanced adsorption and catalytic degradation of antibiotics by CoFe2O4–NH2@DJB2-900 activated peroxymonosulfate: An experimental and mechanistic investigation

In recent years, with the widespread use of antibiotics in clinical, a large number of residual antibiotics have been discharged into aquatic environments, posing a substantial threat to human well-being. In this paper, the recyclable magnetic catalyst CoFe2O4–NH2@DJB2-900 (CFN@DJB2-900) was prepared by combining biochar derived from diaphragma juglans (DJ) with magnetic material CoFe2O4–NH2 (CFN). This catalyst could not only effectively activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade levofloxacin (LEF), but also realize rapid separation from the matrix. After four cycles, the LEF removal rate could still maintain at 83.91 %. The quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis demonstrated that LEF was degraded by defluorination, depiperazinylation, demethylation and ring opening in CFN@DJB2-900/PMS system with the help of O2∙-, 1O2 and electron transfer. The LEF removal rate of 94.32 % was achieved within 10 min. Moreover, the material exhibited wide applicability, good anti-interference ability and reusability. Therefore, this study provided a simple and feasible strategy to prepare an efficient activator CFN@DJB2-900 for the degradation of levofloxacin.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of a novel type-II Bi12O15Cl6/CTF-1 heterojunction for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin: Reaction kinetics, degradation pathways, and toxicity assessment

Fluoroquinolones (FQL) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments due to their widespread use, posing a serious environmental threat. In this regard, a novel Bi12O15Cl6/CTF-1 (BTF) photocatalyst was prepared by integrating a covalent triazine framework (CTF-1) with Bi12O15Cl6 by a simple wet-impregnation method for removing levofloxacin (LFX), an FQL-based antibiotic, from an aqueous solution. Under optimal conditions, BTF (III) (comprising 20 % CTF-1) showed the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving approximately 94 % LFX (10 mg/L) degradation in 120 min under visible light with a pseudo-kinetic rate constant of 0.02072 min−1. This can be attributed to the reduced recombination rate and efficient transfer and separation of photoinduced charge carriers. The photocatalyst demonstrated remarkable stability and reusability. The radical trapping experiment revealed O2•− and h+ to be the primary active species facilitating the photocatalytic degradation of LFX. Furthermore, the seed germination test affirmed treated effluent to be non-phytotoxic and suitable for irrigation.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Levofloxacin and Inactivation of Enterococci Levofloxacin-Resistant Bacteria Using Pure Rare-Earth Oxides

In this study, La2O3 and CeO2 nanopowders were prepared using a simple and cost-effective precipitation method. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), UV-Visible reflectance diffuses (UV-Vis DRS), Raman spectroscopy, and specific surface area were used to characterize the photocatalysts, evidencing that the used preparation method was effective in the generation of crystalline CeO2 and La2O3. In particular, WAXD results showed that the average crystallite size of the achieved La2O3 and CeO2 samples were about 22 nm and 28 nm, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the prepared catalysts were investigated in the degradation of levofloxacin (LEV) and the inactivation of a waterborne pathogen levofloxacin resistant (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) by using a photoreactor equipped with a solar simulator (SS). After 120 min, the CeO2 and La2O3 photocatalytic treatments allowed us to achieve between 75% and 83% of levofloxacin removal, respectively. A complete removal of 106 CFU/mL Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was achieved after 5 and 60 min of La2O3 and CeO2 photocatalytic processes, respectively.

A novel persulfate activation strategy by double Z-scheme Bi2O3/CuBi2O4/BiOBr heterojunction: Non-radical dominated pathway for levofloxacin degradation

Persulfate advanced oxidation technology (PS-AOPs) is known as a novel wastewater treatment method. Considering the poor self-stability of Bi2O3/CuBi2O4, we synthesized Bi2O3/CuBi2O4/BiOBr ternary composite material and established the non-radical pathway-dominated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation system. The study indicated that BiOBr promoted electron migration on the material surface. Bi2O3/CuBi2O4/BiOBr/Vis/PMS system exhibited excellent catalytic performance (86.83 % within 100 min), significantly higher than Bi2O3/CuBi2O4 (63.19 %) and BiOBr (60.35 %). Furthermore, it has strong catalytic activity and adaptability to various environmental conditions. By quenching experiments and EPR analysis, O2−∙ and 1O2 were the main active species. Finally, possible degradation pathways and intermediates were predicted through liquid mass spectrometer (LC-MS), and toxicity analysis was conducted on levofloxacin (Lev) and intermediates. The degradation mechanism may be attributed to the construction of double Z-scheme heterojunction, photogenerated electron transfer and ROS generation through the redox cycle of Cu2+/Cu+ and Bi5+/Bi3+.

MoS2 sponge co-catalytic Fenton reaction for efficient degradation of antibiotics: Performance, mechanism and reactor operation

Levofloxacin (LEV) residue is one of the key issues with livestock wastewater, posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Herein, MoS2 sponge (MS) co-catalyst was synthesized using a simple impregnation method to construct a MS/Fenton system. Under suitable conditions, MS/Fenton could achieve 95.8 % LEV degradation in 30 min, with a reaction rate constant 9.75 times higher than that of Fenton. The results of the reactive oxygen species identification and material characterization indicated that the massive decomposition of H2O2 generated ROS (•OH and 1O2) and accelerated Fe2+ regeneration were the main factors for pollutant removal. MS/Fenton performed well in various aqueous matrices, reflecting excellent adaptability and anti-interference performance. MS was structurally stable with minimal Mo leaching after the reaction. Furthermore, an external circulation packed-bed reactor was designed for application feasibility verification of the system. The system demonstrated excellent removal efficiency during 20 days of continued operation (without MS regeneration). In addition, MS/Fenton demonstrated a remarkable purification effect on real livestock wastewater. This study offered new insights for the large-scale preparation of recyclable co-catalysts, and the constructed long-acting and stable MS/Fenton system and reactor provide a reference for the green and efficient treatment of practical wastewater.

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma in-situ microbubble aeration with peroxymonosulfate for levofloxacin degradation: Microbubble superior performance and pH-dependent mechanism

In this study, a simple ceramic membrane aeration was used to realize dielectric barrier discharge/peroxymonosulfate (DBD/PMS) in-situ microbubble aeration for effective dispersion and gas–liquid transfer of highly active substances. Compared with conventional aeration, ceramic membrane aeration had 18 times fewer microbubble diameters (110–180 µm), much higher bubble densities, and 1.6–2.1 times higher aquatic O3 concentrations at pH 4.8–10.0. Consequently, the yield of HO and SO4·- was 1.64–2.34 and 1.13–2.93 times, respectively, via faster O3 transfer to the aquatic solution and enhanced PMS activation. DBD/PMS microbubble aeration outperformed conventional aeration, with a 2.52-fold increase in LEV degradation kinetics and a 2.79-fold increase in TOC removal. Quenching and EPR experiments showed that HO and 1O2 were the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) for LEV degradation. The yield of O2·- was higher at pH 6.9, while HO, SO4·-, and 1O2 was higher at pH 8.7 derived from a series of complex reactions. The LEV degradation pathway was pH-dependent, with the HO-oxidation contribution varying from 25.3% to 44.3% as the pH increased from 4.8 to 8.7, while other ROS (1O2 and O2·-)-oxidation decreased from 73.1% to 51.8%. Therefore, this work will advance the current understanding of the intrinsic effects of pH in the plasma/PMS microbubble process for wastewater purification.

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Ag/Bi2MoO6/ZnO heterojunction with nano Ag as electronic accelerator pump for high-efficienty photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin

The fluoroquinolone antibiotics, as a category of emerging refractory organic pollutants, have triggered intensive attention due to their persistent ecotoxicology for aquatic environments. Herein, a novel Ag/Bi2MoO6/ZnO (Ag/BMO/ZnO) heterojunction was prepared using a two-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin (LFX). The optimal Ag/BMO/ZnO delivers higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency toward LFX reaching 86.4 %, which is 3 times and 7 times higher than those of neat Bi2MoO6 and ZnO, respectively. This can mainly be attributed that the existence of heterojunction between Bi2MoO6 and ZnO promotes the transmission of photogenerated charges (e−/h+). Furthermore, the introduction of Ag nanoparticles serves as an electron accelerator pump, which can also effectively accelerate the transport and separation of the photogenerated e−/h+. Both of these indirectly retard the recombination of e−/h+. The radical capture assays demonstrate that 1O2, OH, h+ and O2– are responsible for the the degradation of LFX and the 1O2 is the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, based on the identification of degradation intermediates via the liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique, the possible degradation routes of LFX were plausibly inferred. In conclusion, this work provides a new perspective toward antibiotics removal by developing novel heterojunction photocatalysts anchored with precious nanoparticles.

Levofloxacin Degradation, Antimicrobial Activity Decrease, and Potential for Water Disinfection Using Peroxydisulfate Activation by Ag/TiO2 under Sunlight

Water quality and usability are global concerns due to microbial and chemical pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, strategies for eliminating contaminants are required. In this context, the removal and decrease in antibiotic activity (AA) associated with levofloxacin (LEV), using TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 catalysts, with and without sunlight and peroxydisulfate, was evaluated. Additionally, the disinfection capacity of catalytic systems was assessed. The catalysts were synthesized and characterized. Moreover, the effect of Ag doping on visible light absorption was determined. Then, the photocatalytic treatment of LEV in water was performed. The materials characterization and EPR analyses revealed that LEV degradation and AA decrease were ascribed to a combined action of solar light, sulfate radical, and photocatalytic activity of the TiO2-based materials. Also, the primary byproducts were elucidated using theoretical analyses (predictions about moieties on LEV more susceptible to being attacked by the degrading species) and experimental techniques (LC-MS), which evidenced transformations on the piperazyl ring, carboxylic acid, and cyclic ether on LEV. Moreover, the AA decrease was linked to the antibiotic transformations. In addition, the combined system (i.e., light/catalyst/peroxydisulfate) was shown to be effective for E. coli inactivation, indicating the versatility of this system for decontamination and disinfection.

Enhancing treatment performance of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on levofloxacin wastewater through microalgae-bacteria consortia: Mechanistic insights using the transcriptome

Microalgae-bacteria consortia (MBC) system has been shown to enhance the efficiency of microalgae in wastewater treatment, yet its effectiveness in treating levofloxacin (LEV) wastewater remains unexplored. This study compared the treatment of LEV wastewater using pure Chlorella pyrenoidosa (PA) and its MBC constructed with activated sludge bacteria. The results showed that MBC improved the removal efficiency of LEV from 3.50–5.41 % to 33.62–57.20 % by enhancing the growth metabolism of microalgae. The MBC increased microalgae biomass and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secretion, yet reduced photosynthetic pigment content compared to the PA. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota are the major bacteria in MBC. Furthermore, the transcriptome reveals that the growth-promoting effects of MBC are associated with the up-regulation of genes encoding the glycolysis, the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and the pentose phosphate pathway. Enhanced carbon fixation, coupled with down-regulation of photosynthetic electron transfer processes, suggests an energy allocation mechanism within MBC. The up-regulation of porphyrin and arachidonic acid metabolism, along with the expression of genes encoding LEV-degrading enzymes, provides evidence of MBC’s superior tolerance to and degradation of LEV. Overall, these findings lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which MBC outperforms PA in treating LEV wastewater.

Engineering the S-scheme heterojunction between NiFeAl - LDH and BiOCOOH nanoflower by constructing an interfacial electric field for efficient degradation of levofloxacin under visible light

The antibiotic levofloxacin (LVF), utilized across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, presents a notable concern in environmental safety owing to its deposition in water bodies. This work reports the engineering of S-scheme heterojunction, NiFeAl LDH coupled with BiOCOOH nanoflower by constructing an interfacial electric field for efficient degradation of LVF under visible light. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis reveal the uniform decoration of NiFeAl LDH flakes over flowers like BiOCOOH and the high crystallinity is confirmed with SAED pattern distribution. The construction of an interfacial electric field was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron microscope (XPS) analysis. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), XPS, and Raman spectroscopy studies were conducted to confirm the purity and chemical bonding nature of the BiOCOOH-NiFeAl LDH nanocatalyst (NFB NCs). The band gap of materials was calculated to be 3.38 and 2.03 eV for BiOCOOH and NiFeAl LDH respectively. The NFB NCs showed remarkable performance of 95.2 % than its pristine BiOCOOH (35.4 %) and NiFeAl LDH (18 %). ESR and scavenging studies identified the major involvement of •OH, O2•- and h+ in the process. The intermediates formed during the degradation were examined by using GC–MS and a possible degradation pathway was proposed. Furthermore, the toxicity analysis using the ECOSAR program demonstrates NFB NCs safety level for extensive wastewater treatment. The stability of the NCs over six cycles and magnetic removal properties showcased their potential for large-scale wastewater treatment applications. This comprehensive study highlights the importance of LDH in advancing photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation and paves a way for manufacturing innovation.

Facile synthesis, morphological, optical, catalytic and photocatalytic properties of Ag nanoparticles decorated Ce doped ZnO hybrid plasmonic nanorods

Designing plasmonic metal–semiconductor hybrid nanostructures for photodecomposition of industrial textile effluent has been considered as a great way to boost the catalytic and photocatalytic capability by promoting effective separation of photoexcited charge carriers. Herein, fabrication of Ag nanoparticles decorated Ce doped ZnO nanostructures were demonstrated via facile wet chemical method. The morphology and structure of the fabricated photocatalysts were analysed using FESEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy whereas PL, TRPL and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy were employed to examine their optical behaviour. Catalytic response of the synthesized catalysts was studied for 4-NP to 4-AP reduction and the results are more favourable for Ag loaded Ce doped ZnO catalysts and achieved 96.4 % reduction of 4-NP in only 4 min. Photocatalytic measurements showed that higher Ag NP loading onto Ce doped ZnO nanostructures led to superior photodegradation ability over other photocatalysts for the degradation of synthetic dyes and levofloxacin antibiotic. The sunlight driven photodecolorization of harmful synthetic dyes and levofloxacin were studied and efficacy of 97.5, 97.1, 85.1, and 70.9 % were achieved for MG, MB, RhB and MO dyes, respectively in 12 min and 97.2 % efficiency for degradation of levofloxacin was achieved in 20 min of sunlight exposure. Furthermore, the key reactive species was identified and tentative photodegradation process was explained. This work provides an excellent plasmonic-semiconductor catalyst and photocatalyst with good photostability and practical applicability indicating its enormous potential for application in environmental remediation.