A review of tungsten trioxide (WO3)-based materials for antibiotics removal via photocatalysis

Antibiotics are extensively used in human medicine and animal breeding. The use of antibiotics has posed significant risks and challenges to the natural water environment. On a global scale, antibiotics have been frequently detected in the environment, azithromycin (254-529 ng center dot L-1), ciprofloxacin (245-1149 ng center dot L-1), ofloxacin (518-1998 ng center dot L-1), sulfamethoxazole (1325-5053 ng center dot L-1), and tetracycline (31.4-561 ng center dot L-1) are the most detected antibiotics in wastewater and surface water. Abuses of antibiotics has caused a significant threat to water resources and has seriously threatened the survival of human beings. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reduce antibiotic pollution and improve the environment. Researchers have been trying to develop effective methods and technologies for antibiotic degradation in water. Finding efficient and energy-saving methods for treating water pollutants has become an important global topic. Photocatalytic technology can effectively remove highly toxic, low-concentration, and difficult-to-treat pollutants, and tungsten trioxide (WO3) is an extremely potential alternative catalyst. Pt/WO3 photocatalytic degradation efficiency of tetracycline was 72.82%, While Cu-WO3 photocatalytic degradation efficiency of tetracycline was 96.8%; WO3/g-C3N4 photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ceftiofur was 70%, WO3/W photocatalytic degradation efficiency of florfenicol was 99.7%; WO3/CdWO4 photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ciprofloxacin was 93.4%; WO3/Ag photocatalytic degradation efficiency of sulfanilamide was 96.2%. Compared to other water purification methods, photocatalytic technology is non-toxic and ensures complete degradation through a stable reaction process, making it an ideal water treatment method. Here, we summarize the performance and corresponding principles of tungsten trioxide-based materials as a photocatalytic catalyst and provide substantial insight for further improving the photocatalytic potential of WO3-based materials.

Automated summary

Antibiotics are widely used in human medicine and animal breeding, which has posed significant risks and challenges to the natural water environment. A variety of antibiotics have been frequently detected in the environment, particularly in wastewater and surface water. The abuse of antibiotics has become a significant threat to water resources and human survival. Therefore, it is urgently needed to reduce antibiotic pollution and improve the environment. Researchers have been exploring effective methods and technologies for antibiotic degradation in water.