The removal of amoxicillin from aquatic solutions using the TiO2/UV-C nanophotocatalytic method doped with trivalent iron

Abstract

The indiscriminate consumption of antibiotics and their introduction into the environment have caused global concerns. Typically, following consumption, these compounds are introduced into the environment after incomplete metabolism, and a large portion of them are impossible to remove using conventional wastewater treatment systems. The main aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a TiO2/UV-C nanophotocatalyst doped with trivalent iron for the removal of amoxicillin from aquatic solutions. The nanophotocatalyst was prepared and characterized by SEM, XRD, EDX, DRS, and photoluminescence spectrum. The influences of different parameters, including nanocatalyst concentration (30–90 mg/L), initial concentration of amoxicillin (10–45 mg/L), and pH (3–11) at different time intervals (30–120 min) on antibiotic removal efficiency were investigated. Antibiotic concentration was measured with an HPLC device. All experiments were replicated three times according to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edition. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 and the ANOVA statistical test. Optimal conditions for removing amoxicillin from a synthetic solution were as follows: pH 11, initial concentration of antibiotic = 10 mg/L, nanocatalyst = 90 mg/L, and contact time = 120 min. The optimal conditions were also used to remove amoxicillin from Dana Pharmaceutical Company wastewater. The removal efficiencies of antibiotic for synthetic and pharmaceutical wastewater were 99.14 and 88.92%, respectively. According to the results, the nanophotocatalyst TiO2/UV-C may be used for the removal of significant amounts of amoxicillin from pharmaceutical wastewater.