Photocatalytic Degradation Of Tetracycline Research Articles

A novel all-solid-state Z-scheme BiVO4/Ag/Cu2O heterojunction: Photocatalytic and photothermal synergistic catalysis of tetracycline under simulated sunlight irradiation

The possible hazards posed by tetracycline (TC) to the environment and public health have made it a critical concern. In this work, the all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction BiVO4/Ag/Cu2O nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized through a hydrothermal approach for the purpose of achieving efficient degradation towards TC. BiVO4/Ag/Cu2O NCs were able to efficiently degrade TC when exposed to simulated sunlight. The results showed that the photocatalytic efficiency was significantly influenced by Cu2O and Ag nanocrystals. The presence of Ag with large light absorption capability facilitated the efficient electron (e-) transfer between BiVO4 and Cu2O nanocrystals, thereby expanding the spectral range of light absorption in BiVO4/Cu2O NCs. Under photocatalytic and photothermal synergistic conditions, BiVO4/Ag/Cu2O NCs with an optimal addition of Ag were able to degrade TC within 60 min at reaction rate constant (k) of 0.04816 min−1. It was discovered that the best-performing photocatalysts (BAC-2) achieved photothermal conversion rates as high as 27.9 %, and they could exhibit outstanding photocatalytic and photothermal efficiency even after six cycles. Furthermore, the results obtained in radical trapping experiments suggested that photogenerated holes (h+), electrons (e-), superoxide radicals (·O2-), hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and singlet oxygen (1 O2) were involved in the photocatalytic degradation of TC. In the context of practical application, the effects of different initial TC concentrations and different irradiation conditions were studied in depth. In addition, the all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction mechanism for degrading TC was put forward. This research endeavors to broaden the application scope of all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, with the aim of achieving significantly improved photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutants.

Self-assembled perylene diimide decorated g-C3N4 heterojunction catalyst with strong interfacial charge transfer through π-π interaction for efficient boosted photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Perylene diimide (PDI) organic material and its derivatives as photocatalysts possesses excellent charge separation efficiency and are renowned as among the top n-type organic semiconductors capable of absorbing visible light owing to their narrow band gap (∼1.69 eV). Heterojunction photocatalysts with efficient electron transfer and excellent photocatalytic performance are of great significance for the degradation of organic compounds in the environment. In this work, a series of heterojunction catalysts (CNPDI) with robust interfacial charge transfer via π-π interaction were prepared using g-C3N4 and different mass ratio of the self-assembled PDI as precursors, subsequently utilized as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for the degradation of organic tetracycline. SEM and TEM results indicated that porous CN was completely wrapped around PDI nanorod structure formed by strong π-π interactions. In the presence of activating potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) substances, the kinetic rate constant of the CNPDI photocatalytic system clocked in at 0.026 min−1, marking 2.36 fold increase compared to the original CN (0.011 min−1). The bolstered degradation performance was attributed to the built-in potential formed by the self-assembled PDI and CN, promoting the separation of electron-hole pairs and redistribution of charge density in the interface region. This work presents a useful insight into the crafting of PDI-based heterojunction photocatalysts for degradation environmental pharmaceutical pollutants.

Construction of scheelite CaWO4 with natural diatomite for boosted photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics under natural conditions

Fabrication of efficient and recyclable catalysts with natural supporting materials is still a challenge in the field of photocatalysis. In the present work, scheelite type calcium tungstate was successfully constructed with natural diatomite via in-situ co-precipitation method for effective photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) and doxycycline (DC) antibiotics. The as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by SEM-EDX, TEM, BET, XRD, XRF, XPS, FTIR, UV–vis DRS, PL and EIS techniques. The morphological and physiochemical analyses confirmed the successful hybridization of CaWO4 with natural diatomite. The optical, photoluminescence and electrochemical tests confirmed that the composite material displayed narrower band gap energy, lower recombination rate and facilitated separation of photogenerated carriers. After construction of CaWO4 with the diatomite structure, the TC and DC decomposition efficiencies were found 4.70 and 2.54 times higher than that of the pristine sample, respectively. Furthermore, the composite catalyst showed superior degradation performances (91.8 % for TC and 90.7 % for DC) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as a Fenton-agent. The enhanced photocatalytic performance was assigned to the increased specific surface area and pore volume, decreased band gap energy, limited recombination rate of photoinduced carriers, decreased charge transfer resistance as well as the abundant of hydroxyl radicals. The degradation reaction was found to be mainly driven by photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals. The CWO@DT/Vis/Fenton catalytic system exhibited good performance at near-neutral pH, also the composite catalyst was sufficiently utilized in the presence of co-existing anions. Furthermore, the photocatalytic efficiency was also tested under natural sunlight irradiation and the TC degradation remained 71.4 % after four cycles, indicating the outstanding feature of the composite catalyst in outdoor process conditions. Under these circumstances, the present work demonstrated the utilization potential of natural diatomite for effective photocatalytic remediation of antibiotic molecules under natural sunlight irradiation.

Facile fabrication of a cellulose-based photocatalytic membrane decorated with core-shell heterojunction microspheres for efficient and continuous wastewater remediation

Advanced oxidation processes have extensive applications in the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. However, conventional powder photochemical catalysts have limited utility due to their susceptibility to agglomeration, electron-hole recombination, and challenges in recycling. In this work, we herein propose an integration tactic to facilely fabricate a cellulose-based photocatalytic electrospun membrane (ZPP/CA-ENM) via synchronous electrospinning of acetate cellulose (CA) and electrospray of core-shell PMMA@PDA@ZIF-67 (ZPP) photocatalysts. This hybrid membrane is capable of synergistic PMS activation and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) and methylene blue (MB). For the ZPP catalysts, the PDA@ZIF-67 heterojunctions greatly promote the adsorption of visible light and the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, leading to excellent catalytic efficiency. The synchronous electrospinning and electrospray not only lead to the formation of porous and spiderweb-like membrane structure, but also facilitates the dispersion and recycling of these catalysts. Results reveal that under the presence of light irradiation and PMS, various oxidative species, including 1O2, SO4−, OH and O2− are generated, resulting in rapid degradations of TC (93.31 % within 30 min) and MB (99.90 % within 15 min), which also exhibits a rapid degradation and high efficiency in a cascade continuous lab setup. This work provides a new strategy for exploring novel and efficient material for wastewater purification.

Insights on the efficiency and contribution of single active species in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline: Priority attack active sites, intermediate products and their toxicity evaluation

Photocatalysis has been proven to be an excellent technology for treating antibiotic wastewater, but the impact of each active species involved in the process on antibiotic degradation is still unclear. Therefore, the S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst Ti3C2/g-C3N4/TiO2 was successfully synthesized using melamine and Ti3C2 as precursors by a one-step calcination method using mechanical stirring and ultrasound assistance. Its formation mechanism was studied in detail through multiple characterizations and work function calculations. The heterojunction photocatalyst not only enabled it to retain active species with strong oxidation and reduction abilities, but also significantly promoted the separation and transfer of photo-generated carriers, exhibiting an excellent degradation efficiency of 94.19 % for tetracycline (TC) within 120 min. Importantly, the priority attack sites, degradation pathways, degradation intermediates and their ecological toxicity of TC under the action of each single active species (·O2−, h+, ·OH) were first positively explored and evaluated through design experiments, Fukui function theory calculations, HPLC-MS, Escherichia coli toxicity experiments, and ECOSAR program. The results indicated that the preferred attack sites of ·O2− on TC were O20, C7, C11, O21, and N25 atoms with high f+ value. The toxicity of intermediates produced by ·O2− was also lower than those produced by h+ and ·OH.

La2Zr2O7/Bi2Sn2O7 heterostructure for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline with the aid of hydrogen peroxide under visible light irradiation

La2Zr2O7/Bi2Sn2O7 heterostructure for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline with the aid of hydrogen peroxide under visible light irradiation

Accurate construction of Cd/CdS/g-C3N4 heterojunction interface for efficient photocatalytic tetracycline degradation and Cr6+ reduction

With the increasing attention paid to environmental issues and the rapid development of photocatalytic environmental remediation technology, it is of great significance to develop catalysts with efficient photocatalytic environmental remediation capabilities. Graphite phase carbon nitride and its heterojunction are ideal choices for photocatalytic environmental remediation. Accurately constructing stable and well contacted heterogeneous interfaces is an effective means to improve catalytic efficiency. Herein, stable Cd/CdS/CN heterojunction interface was successful constructed by an in-situ synthesis method. Cd/CdS/CN photocatalysts exhibits excellent environmental remediation potential, capable of removing 88 % of high concentration TC (40 mg/L) within 60 min, and reducing over 96 % of Cr(VI) (50 mg/L) within 25 min under visible light, with good cycling stability. In addition, the reaction mechanism and TC degradation pathway of the composite photocatalyst with good photocatalytic activity were analyzed in depth. The experimental results confirmed that the synergistic effect of Z-Scheme heterojunction and Ohmic junction significantly improved the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers in the system, and maintained a high redox ability. This work provides a new reference for constructing CN based heterojunction photocatalysts with close contact.

Construction of Z-scheme SbVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with efficient photocatalytic degradation performance

As visible light responsive materials, g-C3N4 has become an outstanding research object for photocatalysis due to its facile synthesis, excellent chemical and thermal stability. In this paper, a Z-scheme SbVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction was successfully constructed by thermal polymerization method. The synthesized SbVO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite showed efficient photocatalytic activity on tetracycline (TC) degradation. The photocatalytic degradation of TC follows a first-order kinetic model, in which ·O2− and ·OH free radicals play a major role. The formation of Z-scheme heterojunction between SbVO4 and g-C3N4 can effectively promote the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the generation of ·O2− and ·OH. The photocatalytic removal rate of TC reached 82.3 % within 150 min under visible light. The as-synthesized SbVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction can still maintain good stability. Furthermore, a photocatalytic degradation mechanism for the SbVO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction is proposed.

Fabrication of eco-friendly NiFe2O4 nanocatalysts via plant extract-mediated synthesis: Kinetic and mechanistic insights into photocatalytic degradation of an anthraquinone dye and tetracycline antibiotic

The escalating peril of organic pollutant contamination in water, encompassing dyes and pharmaceuticals, requires the formulation of remediation approaches that are both sustainable and effective. This study addresses this challenge by exploring a bioinspired synthesis route for nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4 NPs) utilizing plant extracts. This eco-friendly approach eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals, promoting environmental sustainability compared to conventional methods. The plant extracts of Psidium guajava and Terminalia chebula were employed for the fabrication of NiFe2O4 NPs and the as-synthesized materials i.e. NiFe2O4 from Psidium guajava and NiFe2O4 from Terminalia chebula, were utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of Deep Blue and Tetracycline from aqueous systems under visible light illumination. The photocatalytic studies revealed the excellent potential of both the catalysts towards the efficient removal (>93 %) of model pollutants. The mechanistic elucidation of the developed system revealed the primary participation of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton driven process. Furthermore, the developed materials exhibited reusability till multiple degradation cycles suggesting its potential applicability in real water systems. Comprehensively, this work paves the way for a sustainable idea of wastewater treatment, armed with nature inspired and eco-friendly photocatalysts.

In Situ Synthesis of Exfoliated Ni(OH)2 Nanosheets and AgNPs-Embedded Functionalized Polyindole-Based Trinary Hybrid Microspheres: A Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for the Sunlight-Driven Degradation of Organic Pollutants with Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy.

Advancing a facile one-pot synthetic approach for the fabrication of a hybrid heterojunction photocatalyst remains a significant challenge in research pursuits. Herein, a microsphere-like trinary hybrid nanocomposite has been synthesized (NH/PIn/MAA/Ag). It comprises exfoliated single- and a few-layered Ni(OH)2 (NH nanosheets), mercaptoacetate-functionalized polyindole (PIn/MAA), and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) through an in situ approach. The formation mechanism is based on the exfoliation of stacked Ni(OH)2 multilayers [i.e., Ni(OH)2 microflowers] and stabilization of NH nanosheets through host-guest formation of PIn/MAA, followed by the adsorption-reduction of Ag+ ions in a one-pot reaction at low temperature. Surface morphological analyses of hybrid nanocomposite microspheres have exhibited that highly dense Ni(OH)2 microflowers have been transformed into low-density layered forms (NH nanosheets) within the polymeric platform (PIn/MAA) with deposited AgNPs. An interfacial heterojunction has been developed between the components in the depletion region, leading to an improvement in photocatalytic efficiency through a synergistic effect over the components for charge separation and transfer through the heterojunction interface via solid-state mediator Ag-based Z-scheme charge transfer dynamics. The superior photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (98.2%) by trinary hybrid microspheres can be attributed to the deteriorated recombination rate of electron-hole pairs with reduced charge transfer resistance of the heterojunction in the photocatalyst, as obvious from photoluminescence, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry, and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) analyses. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of microspheres against Bacillus pumilus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacteria have validated their potential as promising materials for the overall purification of aquatic systems.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using α-Fe2O3@TiO2- impregnated Mxene photocatalyst: Mechanism and optimization of process via RSM and ANN

This study involves the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of a remarkably effective α-Fe2O3@TiO2@MXene ternary photocatalyst, which was synthesized by employing an expeditious and controllable ultrasonic-assisted technique. The tetracycline (TC) photocatalytic decomposition was investigated under visible-light, an effective and eco-friendly approach. Impact of different factors on the synthesis process, including α-Fe2O3@TiO2 content (2−32 wt%) and calcination temperature (300–600°C), were examined via Response Surface Methodology- Central Composite Design (RSM-CCD) for the first time. Based on degradation test results, the optimum conditions were determined to be 18.91 % and 441°C, respectively. Additionally, the operational parameters for TC degradation were explored within dosage of catalyst (0.2−1.5 g.L−1), tetracycline concentration (5−65 ppm), irradiation time (20−160 min), and pH (2−10) by RSM and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methods. Optimal operating conditions for aforementioned variables were found to be 0.54 g.L−1, 39.37 ppm, 124 min, and pH of 4.83, respectively, with degradation efficiency of 98.36 % and 96.22 % according to RSM-CCD and ANN analysis. Considering the trapping test, •O2- and •OH- radicals are the primary species responsible for the degradation of TC. The PL analysis indicated that the rate of photogenerated recombination diminished following the impregnation of Fe2O3/TiO2 particles onto the MXene. Furthermore, the experimental evidence demonstrated that the Fe2O3@TiO2@MXene heterojunction photocatalyst effectively decomposed TC with 84.65 % Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The stability of the Fe2O3@TiO2@MXene catalyst was exceptional throughout the photocatalysis process with negligible leaching of Fe2O3@TiO2 over four cycles.

Construction of g-C3N4/BiOCl hybrids via hydrothermal synthesis for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Tetracycline, Rhodamine B, and Nitenpyram

A photocatalysis system is widely regarded as the most renewable approach to environmental treatment since sunlight is a long-term source of energy for the planet. This study assessed the efficacy of a photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride/bismuth oxychloride (g-C3N4/BiOCl) by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photo-luminance, photocurrent density, and X-ray diffraction to characterize the photocatalyst. The results showed an improvement in morphology and enhanced photodegradation of pharmaceutical residues such as Nitenpyram, Tetracycline, and Rhodamine B. For a wavelength range of 655 to 420 nm, the synthesized photocatalysts were good at the absorption of visible light. A photodegradation proficiency of 64.72% was observed with tetracycline, 48.91% nitenpyram, and 98.70% with Rhodamine B in 30 min. The g-C3N4/BiOCl displayed a significant photocatalytic activity due to high load separation and transition. This study shows that g-C3N4/BiOCl photocatalyst has been confirmed as one of the most intriguing contenders for innovative photocatalyst designs and can potentially be used in treating wastewater and the environment at large.

Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by g-C3N4/stilbite under visible light: Mechanistic insights and degradation pathways

In this study, the g-C3N4/stilbite composite was fabricated by the in-situ synthesis method, and the photocatalytic performance was investigated by degrading tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The results indicated that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of g-C3N4/stilbite-6 (86.8 %) was about 2.7 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4 (31.8 %). The introduction of the stilbite carrier effectively resolved the issues of g-C3N4 such as easy self-agglomeration and the difficulty in separating photo-generated carriers, thereby improving the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4. From the quenching experiment, it was found that h+ and •O2− were main active species for TC degradation. By HPLC-MS analysis, TC degradation products were identified, and three degradation pathways were proposed. In addition, the impacts of solution pH, light intensity, and catalyst dosage on TC degradation performance were also evaluated. Overall, a simple and successful strategy has been proposed to synthesize high-performing visible-light-driven photocatalysts for efficiently eliminating organic contaminants from wastewater.

Ingenious design of Ⅱ-scheme heterojunction BiVO4/COF for synergistic photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Photocatalytic degradation is shining as a central methods for purifying antibiotic wastewater, evoking burgeoning attention towards extraordinarily efficient photocatalysts. In this work, the BiVO4/COF (2:8) composite photocatalyst with Ⅱ-scheme heterojunction structure was prepared and employed for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, which achieved degradation equilibrium within 30 min of light irradiation with the remarkable degradation rate reaching 91.56 %. Notably, the photocatalytic degradation rate of BiVO4/COF (2:8) soared to 0.06861 min−1, marking a 32.8-fold and 1.73-fold increase compared to bare BiVO4 (0.00209 min−1) and COF (0.03977 min−1) respectively. The excellent photocatalytic performance benefits from the Ⅱ-scheme heterojunction, fueled by the harmoniously compatible band structure of BiVO4 and COF. This intricate synergy enables effective separation of photogenerated electrons-holes pairs, fostering the generation of active substances ·O2− and h+, consequently amplifying the photocatalytic degradation activity against tetracycline. This work provides valuable insights and guidance for designing efficient COF-based II-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts.

Unveiling the photocatalytic application of niobia based n-n heterojunction for degradation of tetracycline: A sustainable approach for water treatment

This study investigates the efficacy of a novel Nb2O5–MoO3 n-n heterojunction as a photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution. The synthesized heterojunction shows remarkable photocatalytic activity attributed to the synergistic effect of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy etc., were employed to elucidate the structural and morphological features of the heterojunction. The band gap energy and surface area were observed to be 2.55 eV and 32.897 m2/g respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline was systematically studied under various experimental conditions, including catalytic dosage, initial tetracycline concentration and wavelength of irradiation light. These results reveal the greater efficiency of Nb2O5–MoO3 heterojunction compared to that of pristine Nb2O5 with a complete degradation achieved in 60 min under visible region with a degradation rate of 4.9 × 102 min−1. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates excellent stability over multiple cycles of use.

MOF-derived carbon supporting tubular In2O3 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics

A series of graphite-carbon supporting tubular In2O3 (denoted as C-In2O3) were successfully synthesized by controlling calcination of In-MOF under air condition. In the annealing temperature of 400 ℃ under air condition, the crystallization of In3+ into In2O3 and conversion of organic ligands into graphite-carbon support for the translation of In-MOF into C-In2O3 was accomplished. Benefiting from the synthetic effects of tubular structure and the graphite-carbon support, C-In2O3 displayed a higher light absorption, light-to-electron efficiency, charge separation and interface transfer, which resulted in a remarkable photocatalytic activity of tetracycline (TC) degradation. Specially, the optimal C-In2O3-3 sample with a dosing of 30 mg exhibited a photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 97.1 % for TC in the concentration of 20 mg/L under visible light irradiation for 40 min. Photogenerated holes (h+) and •OH radicals from the activation of in-situ generated H2O2 were the main radical species in the photocatalytic degradation of TC. This work could offer new insights in controlling the thermal transformation pathway of MOF for synthesizing efficient photocatalysts for effective antibiotic removal.

Construction of novel biochar/g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction with S-scheme mechanism for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

In this work, a novel biochar/g-C3N4/BiOBr (BCN/BiOBr) S-scheme heterojunction was synthesized for the removal of tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The 0.75-BCN/BiOBr heterojunction exhibited a significantly higher degradation efficiency of TC in wastewater under visible light excitation, achieving about 86.5 % degradation in 72 minutes, which is 2.5 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4. Furthermore, the influence of factors such as pH, dosage of tetracycline and photocatalyst on TC degradation were investigated. Photochemical characterization experiments revealed that the enhanced degradation performance of the BCN/BiOBr heterojunction stemmed from the synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis, providing more active sites to promote the photocatalytic reaction, and accelerating accelerate charge separation and light absorption ability. Meanwhile, the results from the active species indicated that h+, ·OH, and ·O2- play major roles in the degradation process. Additionally, the mechanism research revealed that the photogenerated carriers followed an S-scheme step transfer pathway at the interface of BiOBr and g-C3N4, and the two possible pathways for TC degradation. This provides guidance for improving wastewater treatment using biochar-modified high-efficiency S-scheme photocatalysts.

MOF-derived In2O3/TiO2 S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

It is challenging to engineer a photocatalyst that can degrade antibiotics efficiently. We have successfully developed a series of photocatalysts by annealing In-MOF (BUT-205) with TiO2, namely (a) In2O3/TiO2-I, (b) In2O3/TiO2-II, and (c) In2O3/TiO2-III. These catalysts, particularly In2O3/TiO2-III, exhibited superior efficiency in degrading tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of In2O3/TiO2-III can be attributed to the formed S-scheme heterojunction, which promoting the separation of electron-hole pairs. The S-scheme heterojunction was confirmed by XPS, in-situ XPS, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky plot, etc. Compared to pure TiO2 and In2O3, the In2O3/TiO2-III demonstrated an 18-fold and 3-fold higher degradation rate constant (k). Various factors affecting the degradation of TC were investigated, including pollutant concentration, catalyst type, solution pH, catalyst dosage, inorganic anions, inorganic cations, and radical species. Photoluminescence (PL) and transient photocurrent density evaluate the separation rate of electron-hole pairs, and EPR experiments (active species trapping) studies confirmed •O2− and h+ as the primary entities in TC photodegradation by In2O3/TiO2-III. HPLC/MS analysis revealed the photocatalytic degradation pathway. The MOF-derived photocatalysts efficiency in TC photoreduction results from the formed S-scheme heterojunction, making it a promising candidate for environmental remediation.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline in Wastewater with Bio-based Matrix Magnetic Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst: Performance and Mechanism Study

Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline in Wastewater with Bio-based Matrix Magnetic Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst: Performance and Mechanism Study

A one-stone-two-birds strategy for cellulose dissolution, regeneration, and functionalization as a photocatalytic composite membrane for wastewater purification

Photocatalytic membranes integrate membrane separation and photocatalysis to deliver an efficient solution for water purification, while the top priority is to exploit simple, efficient, renewable, and low-cost photocatalytic membrane materials. We herein propose a facile one-stone-two-birds strategy to construct a multifunctional regenerated cellulose composite membrane decorated by Prussian blue analogue (ZnPBA) microspheres for wastewater purification. The hypotheses are that: 1) ZnCl2 not only serves as a cellulose solvent for tuning cellulose dissolution and regeneration, but also functions as a precursor for in-situ growth of spherical-like ZnPBA; 2) More homogeneous reactions including coordination and hydrogen bonding among Zn2+, [Fe(CN)6]3− and cellulose chains contribute to a rapid and uniform anchoring of ZnPBA microspheres on the regenerated cellulose fibrils (RCFs). Consequently, the resultant ZnPBA/RCM features a high loading of ZnPBA (65.3 wt%) and exhibits excellent treatment efficiency and reusability in terms of photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) (90.3 % removal efficiency and 54.3 % of mineralization), oil-water separation efficiency (>97.8 % for varying oils) and antibacterial performance (99.4 % for E. coli and 99.2 % for S. aureus). This work paves a simple and useful way for exploiting cellulose-based functional materials for efficient wastewater purification.