Applications of Heterogeneous Photocatalysis to the Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Water: A Review

Photocatalytic processes are being studied extensively as potential advanced wastewater treatments for the removal of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other recalcitrant micropollutants from the effluents of conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Oxytetracycline (OTC) is a widespread antibiotic which is frequently detected in surface water bodies as a recalcitrant and persistent micropollutant. This review provides an update on advances in heterogeneous photocatalysis for the degradation of OTC in water under UV light, sunlight and visible-light irradiation. Photocatalysts based on pure semiconducting oxides are rarely used, due to the problem of rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs. To overcome this issue, a good strategy could be the coupling of two different semiconducting compounds with different conduction and valence bands. Several methods are described to enhance the performances of catalysts, such as doping of the oxide with metal and/or non-metal elements, surface functionalization, composites and nano-heterojunction. Furthermore, a discussion on non-oxidic photocatalysts is briefly provided, focusing on the application of graphene-based nanocomposites for the effective treatment of OTC.

Automated summary

Photocatalytic processes are extensively studied as potential advanced wastewater treatments for the removal of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other recalcitrant micropollutants from conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This review presents recent advances in heterogeneous photocatalysis for the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) in water under different light irradiation conditions. Various methods to enhance catalyst performance, including doping, surface functionalization, composites, and nano-heterojunction, are discussed. The application of non-oxidic photocatalysts, specifically graphene-based nanocomposites, for the effective treatment of OTC is briefly explored.