Photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of amoxicillin and ofloxacin using TiO₂-SiO₂ composites

Abstract

TiO₂-SiO₂ mixed oxides in ratios between 20:80 and 80:20 have been prepared using a sol-gel method. To make full use of catalysis, optimization conditions such as SiO₂ content, solution pH, and catalyst loading were investigated. The photocatalysts were characterized spectroscopically as nanoparticles of small crystallite size. Their efficiency for UV-A light induced photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin and ofloxacin was evaluated, with 80% TiO₂-20% SiO₂ being the most active, resulting in complete mineralization and non-toxicity. The catalyst shows some recyclability up to the seventh cycle.

Keywords:

• UV-A/TiO₂-SiO₂ photocatalysis
• amoxicillin
• ofloxacin
• mineralization
• antibiotics

Acknowledgments

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, is gratefully acknowledged for providing facilities to carry this work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.