Photocatalytic removal of tetracycline using TiO2/Ge composite optimized by response surface methodology (RSM)

• We successfully fabricated the optimum TiO2 based composite.
• Optimum ration could be determined by respond surface method (RSM).
• The optimum composite showed a great activity in photocatalysis and toxicity reduction.

The removal of tetracycline (TC) using a TiO2/Ge composite under UV-A irradiation was examined. Response surface methodology based on a mixture analysis experiment was applied to determine the optimal molar ratio of the TiO2/Ge composite (69:31). The photocatalytic degradation test of TC over the optimal TiO2/Ge composite showed around 95% removal efficiency based on CODCr during the 240 min UV-A irradiation. In addition, a toxicity during the photocatalysis of TC was evaluated. The results obtained indicated that the system proposed in this study is very efficient for the mineralization of TC.

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