ZnO-Zn2TiO4 heterostructure for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2023-07, Vol.30 (34), p.81403-81416
• Main Authors: Janani, Fatima Zahra, Khiar, Habiba, Taoufik, Nawal, Elhalil, Alaâeddine, Sadiq, M.’hamed, Mansouri, Said, Barka, Noureddine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advances in Water and Wastewater Technologies for Remediation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Catalysts; Clofibric acid; Contaminants; Crystallites; Crystals; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Heterostructures; Infrared analysis; Pharmaceutical industry wastes; Pharmaceuticals; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Roasting; Ultrasonic testing; Waste Water Technology; Wastewater treatment; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22791-6

In this study, ZnO-Zn 2 TiO 4 (ZTM) material was prepared through a novel synthesis method based on a ultrasound-assisted polyol-mediated process followed by calcination at a different temperature. Physical features of the samples were studied by using various analysis techniques including XRD, FT-IR, SEM/EDX, pH PZC , and UV–Vis DRS. Subsequently, the materials were employed as catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of clofibric acid as a model pharmaceutical contaminant. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated under different conditions of calcination temperature, catalyst dosage, starting concentration, and initial pH of clofibric acid solution. The finding results revealed that hexagonal-tetragonal phases of ZnO-Zn 2 TiO 4 calcined at 600 °C (ZTM-600) with an average crystallite size of 97.8 Å exhibited the best degradation efficiency (99%). The primary bands characteristic of ZnO and Zn 2 TiO 4 were displayed by FT-IR analysis and the UV–visible DRS confirms the larger absorption capacity in UV–visible regions. The photogenerated electrons are the powerful reactive species involved in clofibric acid photodegradation process. This study shows a promising photocatalyst and provides new sight to rational design the facets of photocatalysis process for enhanced photocatalytic performances and effective wastewater treatment.