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<p>Antibiotics such as tetracycline (TC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) are widely used to treat bacterial infections; however, their persistent presence in aquatic environments poses significant ecological and health risks. In this study, a cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using varying weight ratios of MWCNTs (TCF (1.5&#xa0;wt% to 6.5&#xa0;wt%)). Comprehensive structural, morphological, and surface analyses—conducted using techniques such as XRD, HR-SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, UV–Vis (DRS), FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and BET—confirmed the successful formation and integration of the composite. Incorporating MWCNTs effectively inhibited electron–hole recombination, enhanced visible-light absorption, and improved surface characteristics favourable for photocatalysis. Under optimised conditions (pH = 9, catalyst dosage of 0.5&#xa0;g/L, TCF (4.5&#xa0;wt%), and 120&#xa0;min visible-light exposure), the nanocomposite achieved high degradation efficiencies of 98.08% for TC and 95.8% for CIP. TC degradation outperformed CIP under varying pH, catalyst dosages, concentrations, and irradiation times, highlighting the composite’s stronger interaction with TC molecules. The photocatalytic process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with hydroxyl radicals (OH<sup>•</sup>) identified as the primary reactive species. Regardless of the operational variables, TC showed faster degradation kinetics and higher overall removal efficiency than CIP. The CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs nanocomposite demonstrated superior stability and reusability in the photocatalytic degradation of TC when compared to CIP over four consecutive cycles. These findings highlight the potential of CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs composites as efficient and reusable photocatalysts for the removal of antibiotic contaminants from wastewater.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline and Ciprofloxacin Using CoFe2O4/MWCNTs Nanocomposite: A Comparative Efficiency Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月18日

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  • Davis Varghese,
  • S. R. Niranjana,
  • S. Muthupandi,
  • J. Madhavan,
  • Saravanan Muthupandian,
  • M. Victor Antony Raj,
  • P. Joselene Suzan Jennifer

摘要

Antibiotics such as tetracycline (TC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) are widely used to treat bacterial infections; however, their persistent presence in aquatic environments poses significant ecological and health risks. In this study, a cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using varying weight ratios of MWCNTs (TCF (1.5 wt% to 6.5 wt%)). Comprehensive structural, morphological, and surface analyses—conducted using techniques such as XRD, HR-SEM, HR-TEM, EDX, UV–Vis (DRS), FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and BET—confirmed the successful formation and integration of the composite. Incorporating MWCNTs effectively inhibited electron–hole recombination, enhanced visible-light absorption, and improved surface characteristics favourable for photocatalysis. Under optimised conditions (pH = 9, catalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L, TCF (4.5 wt%), and 120 min visible-light exposure), the nanocomposite achieved high degradation efficiencies of 98.08% for TC and 95.8% for CIP. TC degradation outperformed CIP under varying pH, catalyst dosages, concentrations, and irradiation times, highlighting the composite’s stronger interaction with TC molecules. The photocatalytic process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with hydroxyl radicals (OH•) identified as the primary reactive species. Regardless of the operational variables, TC showed faster degradation kinetics and higher overall removal efficiency than CIP. The CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs nanocomposite demonstrated superior stability and reusability in the photocatalytic degradation of TC when compared to CIP over four consecutive cycles. These findings highlight the potential of CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs composites as efficient and reusable photocatalysts for the removal of antibiotic contaminants from wastewater.

Graphical Abstract