Screening of Zeolites series: H-β/H-MOR/H-ZSM-5 as potential templates for photocatalyst heterostructure composites through photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

The formation of Zeolites/semiconductor heterostructures has been demonstrated as one of the most promising strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of semi-conductors. However, the choice of a suitable Zeolite template for photocatalyst composites remains a major challenge. Herein, a series of H-beta, H-MOR and H-ZSM-5 Zeolites were studied as potential semi-conductor templates for the photocatalytic remediation of organic pollutants. Although, all the investigated Zeolite templates dis -played similar functional groups and elemental components, their morphology and band gaps varied. The bandgap of H-MOR, H-ZSM-5 and H-beta were estimated to be 3.74 eV, 3.64 eV and 3.30 eV, respectively. The H-MOR Zeolites were observed to be the most effective photocatalyst for the removal of tetracycline (TC) molecules. The kinetic rate constants for H-MOR, H-ZSM-5 and H-beta were estimated to be 0.5269 h -1, 0.4841 h -1 and 0.3975 h -1, respectively. The superior performance of H-MOR Zeolite was ascribed to its higher activity under UV light irradiation (due to a larger band gap) and oxygen deficiency, as revealed from the Tauc plot and EDS analysis, respectively. The pH studies revealed a favorable TC removal under the alkaline region. Thus, H-MOR zeolite was established to be a promising photocatalyst template for the remediation of pollutants.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The choice of a suitable Zeolite template for photocatalyst composites is a major challenge. In this study, H-beta, H-MOR, and H-ZSM-5 Zeolites were investigated as potential templates, with H-MOR showing the highest performance in the removal of tetracycline molecules.