Visible light driven photocatalyst NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4 nanocomposite for the degradation of tetracycline (TC-HCl) antibiotics

• Published in: Materials letters 2024-12, Vol.377, p.137391, Article 137391
• Main Authors: Asif, Muhammad, Latif, Misbah, Yang, Jin, Wahab, Rizwan, Rasool, Binesh, Hammad Aziz, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electron spin resonance (ESR); FTIR; Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); Nanocomposites; Tetracycline (TC-HCl)
• ISSN: 0167-577X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2024.137391

[Display omitted] •NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4 improved TC-HClphotocatalytic degradation under visible light.•NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4 demonstrated enhanced photodegradation upto 92.3% against tetracycline.•NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4 showed excellent rate constant values (k) of 0.0315 min−1. The use of tetracycline (TC-HCl) antibiotics is harmful to ecosystems worldwide. Herein, NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4nanocomposite (NC) was synthesized via the hydrothermal method for the degradation of tetracycline. The photodegradation efficiency of TC-HCl reached 92.3% after being exposed to visible light for 90 min. Additionally, the stability of the NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4nanocomposite is maintained during the photodegradation of tetracycline, as verified by the recyclability test. Degradation efficiency up to 83% was still present after six cycles. The presence of DMPO-∙O2- and DMPO-•OH is confirmed by the ESR study, when the visible exposure period expanded to 15 min. High photocatalytic performance, strong recyclability, and stability make NiFe2O4/Ag2WO4a potential antibiotic photodegradation candidate.