Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and ciprofloxacin antibiotic residues in aqueous phase by biosynthesized nZVI using Sal (<i>Shorea robusta</i>) leaf extract

Abstract Conventional treatments for antibiotic residues in effluents are inefficient and do not lead to complete removal. Though effective feasible degradation of antibiotics using nanoparticles has been reported by several scientists, chemically synthesized have their own disadvantages. Thus, this study, nZVI was biosynthesized leaf extract Shorea robusta precursor FeSO4·7H2O photocatalytically degrading tetracycline (TC) ciprofloxacin (CIP). The characterization performed SEM, TEM, AFM, EDX, FTIR, XRD test properties, which revealed iron-rich, well-dispersed, spherical, crystalline nanoparticles. Photocatalytic TC CIP under UV illumination 88 84% optimum efficiency at concentrations 15 25 mg L−1, 0.014 0.0175 g L−1 doses nZVI, respectively the pH range 4–6 70 min. further verified mass spectrometry, confirmed into breakdown products. Toxicity assay degraded solution proved it non-toxic bacteria safe discharge water bodies. cost analysis very economical, costing around 1.5 USD per 1,000 L wastewater.