Ag/AgCl/Bi2O3/BiFeO3@zeolite for photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin hydrochloride

A kind of easily recyclable and composite photocatalyst based on Ag/AgCl/Bi2O3/BiFeO3 (AABB) and modified zeolite (MZ)/activated carbon (AC) were made, and investigated for the degradation of levofloxacin hydrochloride (Lev-HCl) in wastewater. The structures and morphologies of AABB@loading materials were firstly characterized. The results showed that under visible light, the optimal conditions for photodegradation were: mass ratio of MZ to AABB 3:2, AABB@MZ dosage 1-1.2 g/L, initial concentration of Lev-HCl <18 mg/L. Under these conditions, 72.09%similar to Lev-HCl could be degraded within 1.5 h. In addition, AABB@MZ could be easily recovered by gravity settling for 30 min and reused three times with 74.7% recovery rate. Photoluminescence (PL) combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) showed that photocatalysts mainly produced center dot O-2(-) and center dot OH, which played a major role in the degradation process. Finally, a possible catalytic mechanism for AABB@MZ was suggested.

Automated summary

A recyclable and composite photocatalyst based on Ag/AgCl/Bi2O3/BiFeO3 and modified zeolite/activated carbon was developed for the degradation of levofloxacin hydrochloride in wastewater. The optimal conditions for photodegradation were determined as follows: a mass ratio of modified zeolite to the photocatalyst 3:2, a dosage of 1-1.2 g/L, and an initial concentration of levofloxacin hydrochloride <18 mg/L. Under these conditions, 72.09% of levofloxacin hydrochloride could be degraded within 1.5 hours. The photocatalyst could be easily recovered and reused with a 74.7% recovery rate. Photoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis indicated the production of O-2(-) and OH radicals as the main contributors to the degradation process. A possible catalytic mechanism for the photocatalyst was proposed.