Photocatalytic degradation of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Cetirizine using PAN-MWCNT nanofibers crosslinked TiO2-NH2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2019-04, Vol.212, p.110-118
• Main Authors: Uheida, Abdusalam, Mohamed, Alaa, Belaqziz, Majdouline, Nasser, Walaa S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composite nanofibers; Pharmaceuticals; Photodegradation; Visible light
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2018.11.030

[Display omitted] •Inexpensive and simple fabrication route for flexible composite nanofibers system.•Chemical grafting of TiO2 NPs onto nanofibers has increased the surface area.•Excellent photocatalytic activity and recycling performance in multicycle use.•Relatively fast degradation was achieved for IBP, CTZ, and NPX under visible light.•The flexibility of the nanofibers allows use in a continuous operation mode. In this work the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals (Ibuprofen, Cetirizine, and Naproxen) was evaluated using surface modified TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized on polyacrylonitrile/multiwall carbon nanotubes composite nanofibers. The photocatalytic degradation was studied under visible light (0.1 W/cm2) irradiation. Comparatively, the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals using PAN-CNT/TiO2-NH2 composite nanofibers was much more efficient than with PAN/TiO2-NH2 composite nanofibers under visible light irradiation. The results obtained showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of the studied pharmaceuticals is pH dependent in which more than 99% degradation was obtained at pH 2. Complete degradation of IBP, CTZ, and NPX was achieved within 200, 50, and 90 min, respectively under visible light.