AgVO3-anchored 2D CeO2 nanocrystals prepared by solution process for visible-light-driven photooxidation of ciprofloxacin antibiotic in water
Eman S. Alsolami, Ibraheem A. I. Mkhalid, Ahmed Shawky, Mahmoud A. Hussein
Abstract
Visible light oxidative mineralization of antibiotics over semiconducting nanostructured photocatalysts demonstrated a promising approach for preventing possible antimicrobial resistance. The design strategy of recyclable and effectual compound photocatalysts is yet under advance to avoid such impediments like fast carrier recombination and instability in solution. Herein, two-dimensional (2D) CeO 2 nanocrystals were synthesized via a modified sol–gel process in the presence of a copolymer surfactant. The 2D CeO 2 were combined with different amounts (4.0 ∼ 20.0 wt%) of nanocrystalline AgVO 3 by coprecipitation to construct p-n AgVO 3 /CeO 2 heterojunction. The formed nanostructures exposed the consistent coupling of monoclinic AgVO 3 to the cubic CeO 2 phase, as proved by XRD, XPS, and TEM depictions. The produced materials also revealed mesostructured surfaces with 149 ∼ 187 m 2 g −1 of surface area. Incorporating AgVO 3 into CeO 2 has also extended the visible-light harvesting and minimized bandgap energy (E g ) down to 2.53 eV at 16 wt%. The fast photooxidation of ciprofloxacin (CPIF), as an emergent antibiotic contaminant in water, was established after 90 min over the tuned dose of 16% AgVO 3 /CeO 2 . This innovative heterojunction photocatalyst also showed 96% sustainable recyclability after the fifth reusable run. The superb performance of 16% AgVO 3 /CeO 2 is attributed to the precise coupling of 16% AgVO 3 to CeO 2, resulting in resourceful charge separation and enhanced mobilities that lead to the oxidation of CPIF.