High Photocatalytic Activity of g-C3N4/La-N-TiO2 Composite with Nanoscale Heterojunctions for Degradation of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) in natural waters has been taken as a serious pollutant because of its hazardous biological and ecotoxicological effects. Here, a 3D nanocomposite photocatalyst g-C3N4/La-N-TiO2 (CN/La-N-TiO2) was successfully synthesized by a simple and reproducible in-situ synthetic method. The obtained composite was characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, TEM, mapping, IR, and UV-vis spectra. The photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin was investigated by using CN/La-N-TiO2 nanocomposite. The main influential factors such as pH of the solution, initial CIP concentration, catalyst dosage, and coexisting ions were investigated in detail. The fastest degradation of CIP occurred at a pH of about 6.5, and CIP (5 mg/L starting concentration) was completely degraded in about 60 min after exposure to the simulated solar light. The removal rates were rarely affected by Na+ (10 mg·L−1), Ca2+ (10 mg·L−1), Mg2+ (10 mg·L−1), and urea (5 mg·L−1), but decreased in the presence of NO3− (10 mg·L−1). The findings indicate that CN/La-N-TiO2 nanocomposite is a green and promising photocatalyst for large-scale applications and would be a candidate for the removal of the emerging antibiotics present in the water environment.

Photocatalytic Activity of MoS2 Nanoflower-Modified CaTiO3 Composites for Degradation of RhB under Visible Light

“…The electrons transferred from VB to CB reduced the dissolved O 2 in water to O 2 − and degrade RhB again because the CB potential position of CTO (−0.69 eV) is more negative (−0.046 eV) than the CB potential of O 2 /O 2 − [ 18 , 21 ]. In conclusion, the active species·O 2 − and OH and h + generated by electron transfer can oxidize RhB and eventually decompose it into small molecules, where h + and O 2 − are the most abundant active species [ 34 ]. The detailed equation is as follows: MoS 2 /CaTiO 3 + hν → CaTiO 3 (e − ) + MoS 2 (h + ) CaTiO 3 (e − ) + O 2 → O 2 − MoS 2 (h + ) + H 2 O → OH h + (main) + O 2 − (main) + OH + RhB → degradation products …”

Recent advances in removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using metal oxides and carbonaceous materials as photocatalysts: a review

“…In situ synthesized 3D g-C 3 N 4 /La–N–TiO 2 also showed complete degradation of ciprofloxacin (5 mg L −1 starting concentration) at a pH of about 6.5 in about 60 min under exposure to simulated solar light. 476 Carbon dots/Bi 4 O 5 Br 2 477 nanocomposites also displayed improved visible-light photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin.…”

“…The presence of ciprofloxacin in water acts as pollutant and can be removed by means of a photocatalytic approach. 425–524…”

Making Pb Adsorption-Saturated Attapulgite with Excellent Photocatalysis Properties through a Vulcanization Reaction and Its Application for MB Wastewater Degradation

“…It is considered to be a good semiconductor material, and widely applied in the field of photocatalytic treatment of organic wastewater [ 17 , 18 ]. The photocatalysis technology is an effective method to degrade pollutants by using photo-induced electrons and photo-induced holes generated by semiconductor materials [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Many researchers have studied the process and mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants using PbS as a catalyst.…”