Titanium‐based MOFs‐derived Cabon‐supported Photocatalysts for the Efficient Degradation of Tetracycline

Abstract

In order to eliminate the public health hazard of tetracycline in a more environmentally friendly and efficient manner, a titanium‐based metal‐organic framework material containing Co ions was synthesised as a precursor by the traditional solvothermal method. Subsequently, a series of titanium‐based MOFs‐derived carbon‐supported photocatalysts were synthesised by calcining the precursor at different temperatures in air. All the prepared catalysts achieved effective degradation of the model pollutant tetracycline (TC). By adjusting the parameters such as TC concentration, catalyst dosage and irradiation time, the optimised composite material (TiCoOC‐800‐1) has a degradation rate of 99.4 % for the model pollutant TC with a concentration of 100 mg/L after under the UV irradiation during 30 min. Radical scavenging experiments showed that the main oxide species responsible for the rapid photodegradation of tetracycline were superoxide radicals (⋅O2−) and holes (h+). Finally, the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method was used to detect the molecular degradation intermediates of TC and a possible degradation pathway was proposed. This work will provide new ideas for the development of more efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of TC in wastewater.