H₂Ti₃O₇ Nanotubes Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Atenolol

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation/adsorption process of the -blocker atenolol (ATL) under UV irradiation is described using two types of silver decorated catalysts: silver/titania and silver/titanates. The silver ions were reduced on the surface of TiO 2 -P25-Degussa using gallic acid. Silver/titanates were prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using the silver/titania as the starting material to obtain the hydrogen titanate (H 2 Ti 3 O 7 ) structure with tubular morphology. These materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, N 2 physisorption, temperature programmed reduction, TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. During the photocatalytic process, the ATL molecules were completely converted to amino-diol byproducts. It is the first time that these materials have been applied during the photocatalytic process in the degradation of pharmaceuticals products. The success of the silver nanoparticles (2 nm) consists of the homogeneous distribution over the surface of titanate nanotubes inhibiting the hole/electron recombination promoting the oxidation process. The Ag@H 2 Ti 3 O 7 with a concentration of silver as 1.0% shows the highest adsorption/degradation of ATL than the Ag@TiO 2 and the P25-Degussa. The great performance in the reuse test consists in the strong attachment of the silver nanoparticles on the titanium surface that inhibits the silver lixiviation during the photocatalytic tests.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of emerging pollutants by green synthesized Prussian blue analogue nanocomposite

“…Due to their widespread use in the 21st century, newly introduced emerging pollutants have been significantly found in surface and waste water 1–3 . Pharmaceutical active substances (PACs) have demonstrated toxicity even at extremely low quantities (0.04 g L −1 ) when released in an untreated manner 4–8 . Additionally, they have a high persistency, a stubborn, incomplete metabolism, and biological activity that could cause endocrine disruption in living things 4,6 …”

“…demonstrated toxicity even at extremely low quantities (0.04 g L À1 ) when released in an untreated manner. [4][5][6][7][8] Additionally, they have a high persistency, a stubborn, incomplete metabolism, and biological activity that could cause endocrine disruption in living things. 4,6 Paracetamol (PCM) and atenolol (ATL) are two of these PACs that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines that are readily available without a prescription and whose physicochemical characteristics are listed in Table 1.…”

Metal ion-intercalated layered hydrogen tri-titanate nanotubes: synthesis, characterization and their use in ultrafast and enhanced removal of hazardous contaminant fluoride from water

“…Therefore, a lot of research has been focused towards this direction of functionalization of hydrogen titanate nanotubes (HTNTs) with metallic and non-metallic groups, which could enhance and tune various surface properties. 3–6 In the present work, the authors have functionalized HTNTs to employ them as efficient adsorbents for the removal of fluoride from water.…”