Document Type : Original Research
Authors
Department of Physic, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Background: The pharmaceutical residues and their metabolites in water, even at low concentrations, is of concern due to their effects on the aquatic environment.
Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs from aqueous media using nanocomposites.
Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs have been investigated using Fe2O3-ZnO and Fe2O3-ZnO/Ag nanocomposites. XRD, FESEM, EDS, elemental mapping (e-mapping) and UV-Visible analysis were used to characterize the nanocomposites.
Results: The photocatalytic performance efficiency of Fe2O3-ZnO and Fe2O3-ZnO/Ag nanocomposites was 45% and 72%, respectively, for paracetamol in 180 min. However, the photocatalytic performance efficiency of Fe2O3-ZnO and Fe2O3-ZnO/Ag nanocomposites for the degradation of cefixime trihydrate was 38% and 55%, respectively during 60 min.
Conclusion: Fe2O3-ZnO and Fe2O3-ZnO/Ag nanocomposites demonstrated effective photocatalytic performance in the removal of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs.
Keywords
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