Visible-light-driven nanoscale zero-valent iron loaded rGO/g-C3N4 for fluoroquinolone antibiotics degradation in water

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics attract increasing attention in the water treatment field because of potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) based photocatalysis has been demonstrated as an economically feasible environmentally benign process to control these persistent contaminants. In this study, a new visible-light-driven reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) co-modified g-C -based photocatalyst was synthesized via ultrasonication-assisted chemisorption method. optimized nZVI-loaded rGO/g-C (10% IGCN) showed reaction rate enhancement 2.12?3.69-fold 1.20?1.68-fold for degradation ofloxacin (OFL), norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP) compared that carbon-doped (MCB 0.07 rGO-supported (7.5% GCN) under irradiation simulated visible light, respectively. enhanced photocatalytic activity can be ascribed synergistic effect nZVI rGO improve separation charge carriers boost harvest light. mechanisms were explored by scavenger tests X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), indicating holes (h + played dominant role decomposition OFL, NOR, CIP. piperazine ring C–N between benzene primary attack sites h . addition, ring-opening oxidation (C=C bond) connected C–F bond may also essential step. This study shed light mechanism CIP 10% IGCN provided theoretical support practical application treating antibiotics-containing water.