In-Depth Insight into the Ag/CNQDs/g-C3N4 Photocatalytic Degradation of Typical Antibiotics: Influence Factor, Mechanism and Toxicity Evaluation of Intermediates

Abstract

In this paper, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of typical antibiotics (norfloxacin (NOR), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH)) by Ag/CNQDs/g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation was studied. Various strategies were applied to characterize the morphology, structure and photochemical properties of the Ag/CNQDs/g-C3N4 composites. The superior photocatalytic activity of Ag/CNQDs/g-C3N4 was attributed to the wide light response range and the enhancement of interfacial charge transfer. At the same time, the effect of the influence factors (pH, Humic acid (HA) and coexisting ions) on the antibiotics degradation were also investigated. Furthermore, the electron spin resonance (ESR) technology, free radical quenching experiments, LC/MS and DFT theoretical calculations were applied to predict and identify the active groups and intermediates during the photocatalytic degradation process. In addition, Ag/CNQDs/g-C3N4 exhibited the obvious antibacterial effect to Escherichia coli due to the addition of Ag NPs. This study develops a new way for the removal of emerging antibiotic pollution from wastewaters.

Multifunctional Lanthanide Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on –NH2 Modified Ligand: Fluorescent Ratio Probe, CrO42– Ions Adsorption, and Photocatalytic Property

“…The molecular weights and proposed molecular structures of the intermediates are displayed in Table S10. The oxidatively active radicals produced by photocatalytic degradation systems oxidize the biphenyls and side chains of organic contaminants . The degradation mechanism of NOR was hypothesized using the intermediate detection data of HPLC-MS (Figure b).…”

“…The oxidatively active radicals produced by photocatalytic degradation systems oxidize the biphenyls and side chains of organic contaminants. 44 The degradation mechanism of NOR was hypothesized using the intermediate detection data of HPLC-MS (Figure 10b). In pathway 1, N1 is formed by oxidizing the 2′ and 3′-carbons of piperazine with • OH and • O 2 − , followed by structural rearrangement and the creation of amides (containing −NH−CH�O groups).…”