Title : Synthesis optimization of clay supported iron oxide functionalized Zno/G-C3n4 quaternary z-scheme photocatalyst for degradation of tricyclic antidepressant drug from aqueous matrices
Abstract:
In this study, we reported the synthesis of a novel clay-supported iron oxide decorated graphitic carbon nitride/zinc oxide (Clay/g-C3N4/[email protected]αFe2O3) quaternary Z-scheme photocatalyst for degradation of an antidepressant drug. Numerous chronic pain syndromes, as well as illnesses including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, phobias, etc., are routinely treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TAs). Because TAs cannot be removed entirely using conventional wastewater treatment techniques, they have been found in large quantities in effluents, surface waters, and drinking water. Several technologies have been used to remove pharmaceuticals from water bodies to overcome these difficulties. On the other hand, nanotechnology has shown exceptional ability to remove various pollutants from water matrices. The high efficiency of nanoparticles is a result of their unique characteristics, which include a high surface area to volume ratio, rapid mobility, and quick response time. Nanoparticles are also more affordable and environmentally friendly than other contemporary technologies, providing no considerable environmental danger.
Here, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the synthesis of Clay/g-C3N4/[email protected]αFe2O3 nanocomposite to achieve maximum removal percentage of the drug. The RSM experimental design involved exploring different concentrations of Fe2O3 (0.25–0.45) g, ZnO (0.2-0.45) g, and g-C3N4 (0.4-0.8) g, whereas the concentration of clay was kept constant at (0.5) g. Batch adsorption experiments were performed in the presence of natural sunlight in June 2022 between 12:00 – 2:00 pm (IST) to obtain responses in terms of percent removal of the drug. The drug's concentration was obtained using an Ultra High-performance liquid chromatograph- Diode Array Detector (UHPLC-DAD). A second-order polynomial equation was used to model the relationship between the synthesis conditions and the responses. Regression analysis yielded a high R2 value of 0.9767, indicating a strong correlation between experimentally observed values and model predictions. The best nanocomposite composition allows drug removal of up to 97.43%. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and structure of the optimized nanocomposite were carefully analysed by various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Overall findings imply that the Clay/g-C3N4/[email protected] nanocomposite were successfully synthesized and were proven to be highly effective in removing drug residues from aqueous matrices.
Audience take away:
- This study explain the synthesis of a clay-supported Fe2O3 decorated g-C3N4/ZnO (Clay/g- C3N4/[email protected]αFe2O3) quaternary Z-scheme photocatalyst through simple and a cost-effective thermal condensation and coprecipitation method.
- The software used in this study for synthesis optimization of nanocomposite, reduces the number of experimental runs and the time required to carry out a series of experiments by utilising one variable at a time, which is a drawback in conventional batch experiments. It also helps to achieve the best composition of all the component materials to enhance the efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposite.
- The characteristics such as morphology, structure, size of the nanocomposite was determined by different technique such as XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR etc.
- The study also reveals the efficiency of synthesized nanocomposite for the enhanced degradation of drug components and its intermediates from the aqueous matrices.
