Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of FeTiO3/ZnO on ciprofloxacin degradation

The catalyst FeTiO3/ZnO was prepared by ultrasound-assisted chemical precipitation method. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). FeTiO3/ZnO (1, 5, and 10%wt. FeTiO3) was evaluated on photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CPX) in an aqueous solution (10 mg L-1) under UV-Vis irradiation. The hetemjunction between FeTiO3 and ZnO, the presence of Fe2O3 impurities, and the formation of oxygen vacancies allowed the coupled material FeTiO3/ZnO (1%wt.) showed a better photocatalytic performance (100% degradation CPX and 27% of mineralization) than bare ZnO. Although ZnO also attained complete degradation of CPX, the antibiotic was not mineralized under the same operating conditions. A scavenger study determined that h(+) and (OH)-O-center dot were the principal reactive species involved in the CPX photocatalytic degradation. The heterostructured material showed high stability and reusability during three cycles of use.

Automated summary

FeTiO3/ZnO catalyst prepared by ultrasound-assisted chemical precipitation method showed promising photocatalytic performance, with FeTiO3/ZnO (1%wt.) exhibiting superior degradation of CPX compared to bare ZnO. Additionally, the heterostructured material demonstrated high stability and reusability over multiple cycles.