Synergistic Adsorption-Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline on Bi(OH)3

The synergistic adsorption-photocatalytic degradation is a simple and effective method for removal of pollutants from wastewater. In this work, a bismuth-based photocatalyst Bi(OH) ₃ was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The adsorption performance was evaluated by investigations of adsorption isotherm, kinetics and effects of photocatalyst dosage, initial TC concentration, solution pH value and adsorption temperature. The results showed that Bi(OH) ₃ rapidly and effectively adsorbed and activated TC though hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, the pore filling mechanism, which were originated from the plenty of OHˉ in the structure. The total TC removal of 92% by synergistic adsorption-photocatalysis was obtained at condition as photocatalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L, initial TC concentration of 50 mg/L, pH of about 5. This work provides an alternative way to remove antibiotics such as TC in wastewater.