Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin using a spinning disc photocatalytic reactor (SDPR) with a novel Fe3O4@void@CuO/ZnO yolk-shell thin film nanostructure

Abstract

Antibiotics are resistant compounds with low biological degradation that generally cannot be removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. The use of yolk-shell nanostructures in spinning disc photocatalytic reactor (SDPR) enhances the removal efficiency due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and increased interaction between catalyst particles and reactants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the SDPR equipped to Fe3O4@void@CuO/ZnO yolk-shell thin film nanostructure (FCZ YS) in the presence of visible light illumination in the photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) from aqueous solutions. Stober, co-precipitation, and self-transformation methods were used for the synthesis of FCZ YS thin film nanostructure and the physical and chemical characteristics of the catalyst were analyzed by XRD, VSM,, EDX, FESEM, TEM, AFM, BET, contact angle (CA), and DRS. Then, the effect of different parameters including pH (3–11), initial concentration of AMX (10–50 mg/L), flow rate (10–25 mL/s) and rotational speed (100–400 rpm) at different times in the photocatalytic degradation of AMX were studied. The obtained results indicated that the highest degradation efficiency of 97.6% and constant reaction rate of AMX were obtained under LED visible light illumination and optimal conditions of pH = 5, initial AMX concentration of 30 mg/L, solution flow rate of 15 mL/s, rotational speed of 300 rpm and illumination time of 80 min. The durability and reusability of the nanostructure were tested, that after 5 runs had a suitable degradation rate. Considering the appropriate efficiency of amoxicillin degradation by FCZ YS nanostructure, the use of Fe3O4@void@CuO/ZnO thin film in SDPR is suggested in water and wastewater treatment processes.

Novel nanostructure approach for antibiotic decomposition in a spinning disc photocatalytic reactor

“…Consequently, the main cause of AMX photodecomposition when using the FSNCZ CS film can be attributed to O 2 and OH radicals, identified as the primary active species. These findings deepen our comprehension of the mechanisms involved in the photocatalytic decomposition process and provide insights into the specific roles of reactive oxygen species in the elimination of AMX 6 , 47 .

Figure 13 Effect of radical scavenger under optimal conditions.

…”

“…Employing the sol–gel spin coating technique detailed in previous studies 47 , the immobilization of the FSNCZ CS thin film took place on a ceramic disc. Before the deposition of the catalytic film, the ceramic disc substrate was subjected to a cleaning process according to previous studies 47 .…”

“…Employing the sol–gel spin coating technique detailed in previous studies 47 , the immobilization of the FSNCZ CS thin film took place on a ceramic disc. Before the deposition of the catalytic film, the ceramic disc substrate was subjected to a cleaning process according to previous studies 47 . In the preparation of the solution, 0.125 g of PVA in 12.5 ml of DI water underwent heating in a sealed container at 80 °C for 3 h to ensure full swelling.…”

Employing a magnetic chitosan/molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite for efficiently removing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from milk samples

“…The FTIR spectrum of Fe 3 O 4 (Fig. 1 Aa) displayed peaks at 3439 cm −1 and 584 cm −1 , which corresponded to the stretching vibration of free hydroxyl groups and Fe–O bonds, respectively 41 , 42 . On the other hand, the CS spectrum (Fig.…”