Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of lomefloxacin

The photocatalytic activity of silver-doped TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) nanoparticles was studied by photocatalytic degradation of lomefloxacin (LMF) using a photoreactor with a mercury lamp (PHILIPS, TUV 8W T5, Emax = 254 nm). The 1 and 2% silver-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by liquid impregnation (LI) method. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by surface analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The study shows 2% Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited better results (95% degradation) in 1 h for the degradation of lomeofloxacin compared to 1% Ag-TiO2 and pure TiO2. XRD analysis indicated that the crystallite size of TiO2 was 17.00 nm, while the crystallite size of 1% Ag-TiO2 and 2% Ag-TiO2 was 13.07 to 14.17 nm. TEM images show the particle size of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles were in the range 40–45nm in length and 10–15nm in breadth. Pseudo-first-order rate constants were found to decrease with increase in pH. The effect of UV intensity, catalyst dosage and initial concentration of LMF on the degradation rate were also studied and elaborately discussed.