F-doped ZnO nano- and meso-crystals with enhanced photocatalytic activity in diclofenac degradation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2021-03, Vol.762, p.143066, Article 143066
• Main Authors: Vitiello, Giuseppe, Iervolino, Giuseppina, Imparato, Claudio, Rea, Ilaria, Borbone, Fabio, De Stefano, Luca, Aronne, Antonio, Vaiano, Vincenzo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Diclofenac; Ecosystem; F-doping, hydrothermal synthesis; Humans; Mesocrystals; Nanostructures; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Photocatalysis; Reactive oxygen species; Zinc Oxide
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143066

Diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is considered one of the most widespread emerging contaminants. Its incidence in water can favor the growth of drug-resistant bacteria and harm aquatic organisms endangering both the human health and the ecosystem. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on the action of reactive oxygen species are very effective technologies for the removal of this contaminant from water. In this context, ZnO is one of the most studied semiconductors for photocatalytic water treatment. In this work, the photocatalytic activity of fluorine-doped ZnO nano- and meso-crystals synthesized by a hydrothermal approach is reported, exploring the role of a low F atomic concentration (0.25, 0.5 and 1 at. %) on the degradation of DCF in comparison with bare ZnO. All doped samples show high rates of DCF degradation and mineralization, which were realized primarily thanks to their high efficiency in the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH). The property-structure-function relationships of the materials are investigated by complementary techniques, such as SEM, XRD, EPR, UV–vis DRS and PL, with the aim to evaluate the role of fluorine in determining their morphological, electronic and optical properties. [Display omitted] •F-doped ZnO nano- and meso-crystals were synthesized by hydrothermal method.•Enhanced diclofenac photocatalytic degradation by ZnO doped with very low F content.•Particle morphology and electronic properties affect the photocatalytic performance.•Enhanced generation rate of OH radicals with F-doped ZnO under UV light.•OH radicals are the main oxidizing species for diclofenac degradation.