Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotic Norfloxacin Aqueous Solution by Ce/Bi2WO6: Optimization and Simulation of Process by RSM
Somayeh Saleh Fekra, Narges Elmi Fard, Reza Fazaeli
Abstract
This study evaluated a removal efficiency of NLFX from aqueous solutions using a photocatalytic process. In this study, Bi2WO6 were synthesized by microwave method and Ce was loaded on Bi2WO6 by wet inoculation method. The prepared photocatalysis were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS/Map, TEM, BET/BJH, DRS-UV/Vis analysis. The degradation of NFLX was investigated by the photocatalysis synthesized under solar light. Among the photocatalysis, Ce/Bi2WO6 (8%) had the highest NFLX degradation efficiency. Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used to investigate pH, time, mass of catalyst Ce/Bi2WO6 (8%) g, and NFLX concentration. In optimal conditions (pH 3.75, time 126.11 min, mass of Ce/Bi2WO6 (8%) 0.03 g, and NFLX concentration 10.11 mg/L) the photocatalytic degradation percentages of NFLX were found to be 99.62%. Isothermic studies have shown that Fritz–Schlunder isotherms have the best fit with Ce/Bi2WO6 (8%) data (the least error).