Journal of Nanoscience and Nanomaterials

ABSTRACT

This study explores the photocatalytic degradation of some pharmaceutical pollutants using a CeO₂@C₃N₄/WO₃ nanocomposite under sun light illumination. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the association of all the components. The drugs Doxorubicin, Hydroxychloroquine, and Tinidazole were selected for photocatalytic degradation because they are highly toxic, resistant to natural breakdown, and frequently pollute the aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, they could not be treated with conventional biological and chemical treatment processes. These "emerging pollutants" are released from hospitals and homes, requiring special advanced photocatalytic light-based cleanup technologies to protect the environment and human health. The effect of increasing sun light power (10, 20, 40 and 80 W/m²), pharmaceutical concentrations (400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1500 mg/L), CeO₂@C₃N₄/WO₃ nanocomposite concentrations (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L), time (10, 15, 20 and 25 min) and temperature (21, 25, 30 and 40^oC), pH (4.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 10.0) on the photodegradation yields of Doxorubicin, Hydroxychloroquine and Tinidazole pharmaceuticals were investigated. Under 40 W/m² sun light, 2 mg/L CeO₂@C₃N₄/WO₃ nanocomposites efficiently degraded 1000 mg/L Doxorubicin, Hydroxychloroquine and Tinidazole pharmaceuticals, achieving 100% of removal in 15 min of the reaction time at pH=7.0 and at a temperature of 25^oC. It emphasizes the ability of CeO₂@C₃N₄/WO₃ composites prepared by a facile physical mixing of individual components for energy-efficient photocatalysis using sun light power in a sustainable and effective methodology for the photoremovals of Doxorubicin, Hydroxychloroquine and Tinidazole pharmaceuticals.

Keywords: CeO₂@C₃N₄/WO₃; Nanocomposite; Doxorubicin; Hydroxychloroquine; Pharmaceuticals; Sunlight; Tinidazole