Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic using new calcite/titania nanocomposites

[Display omitted] •A new Calcite/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared.•Tetracycline antibiotic was degraded using photocatalytic process.•The CAL 30 catalyst is as efficient as pure TiO2.•The configuration of CAL30 can help to save 70% of active catalyst.•The mineralization of Tetracycline takes place more efficiently under UV irradiation. A new efficient photocatalyst consisting of Calcite/TiO2 system was synthesized using Sol-Gel process and applied to the degradation of tetracycline antibiotic (TC). The CAL/TiO2 system at various TiO2 content was characterized using XRD, ATR, BET, SEM-EDX and TGA techniques. Photocatalytic activities of synthesized materials were evaluated through TC degradation under UV-light in aqueous solution. The results indicate that the raw material consists mostly on calcite carbonate and palygorskite clay, while TiO2 crystallized mostly in anatase phase. The specific surface area increases from 26 to 130 m2. g−1 with the content of TiO2. TiO2 nanoparticles are distributed between the pores of palygorskite clay and its surface. While all CAL/TiO2 configurations were active toward the degradation of TC molecules, CAL30 composites give the best results. The photocatalytic process was optimized according to the catalyst content, TC initial concentration, pH of the solution and the irradiance type. A content of 1.5 g.L−1 of the catalyst, 50 mg.L−1 of TC, and pH≈7 are the best conditions for effective TC removal under UV-light. When the photocatalytic system reached 90% of TC removal, the TOC attained 50%.