Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of Fe3O4/Phthalhydrazide/Chitosan Composites for Tetracycline Degradation
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This study investigates the photocatalytic performance of two novel nanocomposites, Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan and Fe 3 O 4 /phthalhydrazide/chitosan, for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to confirm their structural and morphological properties. The isoelectric point (pH iep ) of the Fe 3 O 4 /phthalhydrazide/chitosan composite was determined to be 9.2, indicating optimal electrostatic stability. Photocatalytic tests revealed that the Fe 3 O 4 /phthalhydrazide/chitosan composite exhibited significantly higher degradation efficiency, achieving 88% removal of TC after 120 minutes, compared to 53% for the Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan composite. The effect of catalyst dose on photocatalytic activity was also examined, with optimal performance noted at 0.01 g to 0.02 g catalyst concentration. Additionally, the influence of TC concentration on degradation efficiency was analyzed, highlighting decreased photocatalytic activity at higher concentrations due to competitive adsorption on active sites. Mechanistic studies utilizing scavengers indicated the involvement of reactive species, which further elucidated the degradation pathways of tetracycline. Overall, the incorporation of phthalhydrazide into the Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan composite significantly enhanced its photocatalytic efficiency, providing a promising approach for environmental remediation of pharmaceutical pollutants. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing catalyst design and operating conditions to improve the efficacy of photocatalytic processes in wastewater treatment applications.
