Facile photo-ultrasonic assisted reduction for preparation of rGO/Ag 2 CO 3 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic oxidation activity for tetracycline

Various antibiotics in the aquatic systems have threat the aquatic ecosystem balance and the human health. In this study, a degradation treatment method for tetracycline (TC), one of the commonly used antibiotics, was explored by using novel photocatalysts of rGO/Ag CO under simulated sunlight, because conventional treatment methods are not efficient on the removal of TC. rGO/Ag CO nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile photo-ultrasonic assisted reduction method. More than 90% of TC was removed by 1% (weight /weight ) rGO/Ag CO within 60 min at pH = 4, which was about 1.3 times higher than that of pure Ag CO . The cycling experiments indicated that 1% rGO/Ag CO was highly stable and could be reused for at least 5 cycles without significant deactivation to its photocatalytic activity. In addition, the effects of pH, temperature, and dosage amount of 1% rGO/Ag CO on photocatalytic degradation were investigated. Meanwhile, the effect of ultrasonic on the degradation of TC was also investigated. This study can provide a new method for the preparation of smaller nanosized materials and photocatalysts with high activity and stability for its environmental or other applications.