ZrO2-based improved visible-driven composite photocatalysts for removal of oxytetracycline in mariculture wastewater

• Published in: Optical materials 2024-11, Vol.157, p.116378, Article 116378
• Main Authors: Liu, Jinghua, Liu, Jing, Xue, Bining, Yu, Runqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mariculture; Oxytetracycline; Photocatalyst; Visible light drive; ZrO2
• ISSN: 0925-3467
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2024.116378

This study presents a visible light-driven composite photocatalyst based on an improved ZrO2 for the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) from mariculture wastewater. The ZP composite photocatalyst was prepared by co-precipitation and characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy methods. It was observed that the incorporation of Pr6O11 resulted in a notable increase in the specific surface area of the ZP composite photocatalyst. Furthermore, the enhanced ZP composite photocatalyst exhibited a band gap width of 2.41 eV and a broad spectral utilization range extending up to 685 nm. Meanwhile, 1.0 g/L of ZP0.3 composite photocatalyst demonstrated a removal rate of up to 83.25 % for 15 mg/L of OTC at pH 8. The illumination time exhibited the most significant impact on the OTC removal rate. The findings of this study indicate that ZP composite photocatalyst exhibits excellent photocatalytic efficacy and holds considerable promise for the remediation of OTC pollution in mariculture wastewater. [Display omitted] •A visible-light-driven zirconium-based composite photocatalyst was developed.•Extend the spectral absorption range of zirconium-based catalysts.•The composite photocatalyst had excellent photocatalytic activity in natural seawater.