Photocatalytic degradation of emerging antibiotic pollutants in waters by TiO2/Hydroxyapatite nanocomposite materials

TiO2-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites were prepared by the simultaneous gelation of titanium alkoxide and precipitation of a re-dissolved natural phosphate mineral in ammonia and tested for drug degradation in solution under UV light. Pharmaceuticals were preferentially adsorbed on the apatite-rich composites, whereas their photodegradation was more effective in the TiO2-rich phases. At high TiO2 content, the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of nanocomposites is better compared to that of TiO(2)related to the antibiotic affinity. Using 40TiHAp as photocatalyst, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were 100% photodegraded within 15 min and 120 min, respectively. The proposed nanocomposites are efficient catalysts for the enhanced adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in water.

Automated summary

TiO2-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites were prepared and tested for drug degradation under UV light. They showed efficient adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in water, with higher efficiency at high TiO2 content.