Enhanced photodegradation of antibiotics solution under visible light with Fe2+/Fe3+ immobilized on TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres by using ions imprinting technology

Fe2+/Fe3+@POPD/TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres photocatalysts has been successfully prepared by ions imprinting technology. The as-prepared ions imprinting photocatalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The photocatalytic activity of the ions imprinting photocatalysts was studied by the degradation of ciprofloxacin antibiotics water under visible light irradiation (tungsten halogen lamp). The results showed that the iron ions imprinting photocatalysts could effectively promote the mutual transformation between Fe2+ and Fe3+, increased the separation rate of photoelectrons and holes in the cycling system, and improved the photocatalytic activity of degradation on the ciprofloxacin antibiotics solution. The photodegradation rate could reach 80% in 60 min under visible light irradiation. According to our experimental results, the mechanisms of preparation and photodegradation process of ions imprinting photocatalysts were also proposed, respectively.

► Fe3+/Fe2+@TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres were prepared by ions imprinting technology.
► The iron ions imprinting photocatalysts possess the cycling system.
► The imprinting catalysts can separate e−/h+ and enhance degradation of antibiotic.