Photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline using co-precipitation method prepared Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite

Abstract

Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method using Fe (NO3)3·9H2O and Ti (SO4)2 as raw materials. Structural and textural features of the mixed oxide samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray. The effects of initial concentration of oxytetracycline (OTC), different competitive ions and organics on the photocatalytic degradation rate of OTC by the Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite were analyzed under UV and visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the optimized initial concentration of OTC was 50 mg/L to achieve the best photocatalytic efficiency. Cu2+, NH4+, C3H8O and EDTA in the aqueous suspension were found to suppress the degradation rate of OTC, whereas the effect of NO3− and H2C2O4 can be ignored.