First Utilization of Magnetically-Assisted Photocatalytic Iron Oxide-TiO2 Nanocomposites for the Degradation of the Problematic Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin in an Aqueous Environment

• Published in: Magnetochemistry 2024-09, Vol.10 (9), p.66
• Main Authors: Radić, Josip, Žerjav, Gregor, Jurko, Lucija, Bošković, Perica, Fras Zemljič, Lidija, Vesel, Alenka, Mavrič, Andraž, Gudelj, Martina, Plohl, Olivija
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antibiotic ciprofloxacin; Antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance; Aqueous environments; Catalytic oxidation; Current carriers; Electron microscopy; hetero-agglomeration; Infections; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Investigations; Iron oxides; Magnetic fields; magnetic iron oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites; Magnetic properties; Methods; multifunctionality; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; photocatalytic degradation; Photodegradation; Photoelectrons; Pollutants; Polyethyleneimine; Public health; Spectrum analysis; Thermogravimetric analysis; Titanium dioxide; Toxicity; Wastewater treatment; Water treatment; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 2312-7481; 2312-7481
• DOI: 10.3390/magnetochemistry10090066

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotics in the environment presents significant public health, economic, and societal risks. This study addresses the need for effective strategies to reduce antibiotic residues, focusing on ciprofloxacin degradation. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs), approximately 13 nm in size, were synthesized and functionalized with branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) to obtain a positive charge. These IO-bPEI NPs were combined with negatively charged titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2@CA) to form magnetically photocatalytic IO-TiO2 nanocomposites. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrokinetic measurements, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), confirmed the successful formation and properties of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited a high specific surface area, reduced mobility of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhanced photocatalytic properties. Testing the photocatalytic potential of IO-TiO2 with ciprofloxacin in water under UV-B light achieved up to 70% degradation in 150 min, with a degradation rate of 0.0063 min−1. The nanocomposite was magnetically removed after photocatalysis and successfully regenerated for reuse. These findings highlight the potential of IO-TiO2 nanocomposites for reducing ciprofloxacin levels in wastewater, helping curb antibiotic resistance.