Hydrothermally Synthesized TiO۲ Nanostructures on Ti foil for Visible Light Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO۲) nanostructures on titanium foil were synthesized through a hydrothermal procedure, subsequently followed by calcination at temperatures of ۵۰۰, ۶۰۰, and ۷۰۰ °C. The morphological, structural, and optical properties were systematically characterized using SEM, XRD, and DRS analysis. The results indicated that the calcination temperature exerts a substantial influence on the morphology and crystalline phase composition of the TiO۲ nanostructures. The calcined TiO۲ nanostructure at ۶۰۰ °C (T(۶۰۰)) indicated a well-defined and interconnected sheets with porous structure. This architecture enhanced the surface-to-volume ratio, light absorption and scattering, facilitated efficient charge carrier separation and improved molecular accessibility and adsorption for tetracycline (TC) degradation. The T(۶۰۰) sample exhibited better performance in visible light assisted photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline as compared to T(۵۰۰) and T(۷۰۰) samples due to its efficient charge carrier separation and transport in a proper rutile/anatase composition. This sample reached removal efficiency of ۵۶.۵۰%, accompanied by a first-order kinetic rate constant of ۰.۰۰۵۸ min⁻¹ under visible light irradiation. The results were attributed visible light absorption by TC and TiO۲ nanostructures along with proper charge separation in the appropriate crystalline phase composition of the T(۶۰۰) sample. These findings underscore the pivotal role of calcination temperature in optimizing TiO۲-based photocatalysts for efficient environmental remediation.

کلیدواژه ها:

TiO۲ nanostructures ، Calcination temperature ، Tetracycline ، Visible Light ، Photocatalytic efficiency