Bi2WO6 nanocuboids: An efficient visible light active photocatalyst for the degradation of levofloxacin drug in aqueous phase

• Facile synthesis of Bi2WO6 nanocuboids using ultrasonic assisted hydrothermal method.
• Bi2WO6 demonstrates well crystallinity and wide visible light absorption performance.
• 80% degradation of levofloxacin was obtained using the prepared catalyst.

This study presents an efficient approach for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical compound under visible light. In this study Bi2WO6 nanocuboids have been synthesized using a facile ultrasonic assisted hydrothermal method. Phase identification, chemical, morphological and photo-luminescent properties of the as synthesized nanostructures have been investigated by different techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TEM, FE-SEM, UV–vis DRS, XPS and BET surface area analysis. Further, the photocatalytic activity of the prepared catalyst was evaluated for the degradation of levofloxacin in aqueous phase under visible light. Approximately 80% degradation of the drug was achieved in 150 min. The kinetic studies revealed that photo-degradation of levofloxacin follows pseudo-first order reaction kinetic model and rate constant was found to be 0.00847 min−1. A terephthalic acid photoluminescence technique was used to detect the role of OH radicals in photocatalytic process. The identification of levofloxacin intermediates during photocatalytic degradation was analyzed using LCMS technique and the reaction pathway based on them was proposed.