Boosting sulfate radical assisted photocatalytic advanced oxidative degradation of tetracycline via few-layered CoZn@MOF/GO nanosheets

Abstract

A facile and robust protocol for the synthesis of CoZn@MOF/GO photocatalyst via hydrothermal route has been presented, and the method has resulted in the formation of CoZn@MOF/GO few-layer nanosheets. The as-prepared catalyst has shown improved degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride. A detailed investigation of the effect of various parameters such as pH, concentration, and catalyst load was carried out to ascertain the optimum reaction condition required for the maximum degradation of tetracycline. Also, presence of GO has improved the visible light assimilation, band gap restructuring and consequent photocatalysis. Radical scavenger and electron resonance studies revealed that presence of light, persulfate and oxygen were pivotal for the enhanced photocatalysis of TCn at CoZn@MOF/GO and to accomplish complete degradation of TCn. The synergism between catalytic, sulfate mediated and advanced photocatalytic process has been discussed, a systematic degradation pathway was analysed in detail and a plausible mechanism has been proposed.