Efficient degradation and mineralization of diclofenac in water on ZnMe (Me: Al; Co; Ga) layered double hydroxides and derived mixed oxides as novel photocatalysts

The removal of diclofenac (DCF) from aqueous solutions was attempted using photocat-alytic processes, involving a series of novel photocatalysts based on ZnMe (Me: Al; Co; Ga) layered dou-ble hydroxides (LDHs) and their derived mixed oxides. The catalysts were characterized using specific techniques. Under solar light, ZnCo and ZnGa catalysts degraded almost completely DCF from water, while the mineralization, expressed by total organic carbon removal, reached -85%. The degradation mechanisms of DCF photolysis and photocatalytic degradation under solar and UV irradiation were investigated.