Fabrication of novel SrMoSe 2 photocatalysts for enhanced oxytetracycline degradation

Here, strontium encapsulated molybdenum diselenide (SrMoSe 2 ) catalysts were synthesized by using a hydrothermal process and identified as employing a wide range of analytical methods for efficient photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC). XRD results show that prepared SrMoSe 2 catalysts are hexagonal in structure and the Raman spectra exhibit Sr:Mo-Se plane vibration. The average crystalline size of the SrMoSe 2 catalysts was found to be around 34 nm. HRTEM and FESEM images reveal the size distribution of the spherical Sr particles encapsulated with MoSe2 nanosheets. The absorption edge is found to be around 450 nm in optical absorption spectra, and the band gap energy is found to be around 1.60 eV. The electronic states of the Sr, Mo, and Se components were determined by using the XPS spectra. These results confirmed that SrMoSe 2 catalysts had improved electron transport, charge separation, and light absorption due to the high interfacial contact between the Sr and MoSe 2 which was possible for the catalyst to quickly and effectively take in OTC. The photocatalytic activity of OTC is investigated in detail as a function of SrMoSe 2 catalysts and irradiation period. Under visible light irradiation, the optimized sample SrMoSe 2 (8 mg)@pH = 8 catalysts exhibit an outstanding kinetic rate efficiency (3.941 min -1 ) for the degradation of OTC, which is 2.5 times higher than SrMoSe 2 (8 mg) (1.573 min -1 ). In cycle trials, SrMoSe 2 (8 mg)@ pH = 8 was quite stable and was easily retrieved by Sr. Based on the results of the experiments designed to trap these radicals, it appears that superoxide radicals ( * O 2 -) contribute significantly to OTC degradation. These findings are a valuable resource for engineers designing new photocatalytic materials based on aerogels to remove antibiotics from wastewater. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.