Fabrication of Co3O4/CdO/clinoptilolite nanocomposite heterojunction with synergistically enhanced catalytic performance for photodegradation of pharmaceutical pollutants

Environmental protection has become a global priority with the increasing use of renewable energy sources. Solar-light photocatalytic processes have attracted significant attention due to the highly effective degradation of organic pollutants and the use of renewable resources and. In this research, a green approach was employed to fabricate a Co3O4/CdO/clinoptilolite (CCC) heterojunction nanocomposite as an effective S-scheme photocatalyst for the photodegradation of levofloxacin under sunlight. As compared to single semiconductors, the CCC revealed the best performance in degradation of levofloxacin, indicating a great synergy effect between Co3O4 and CdO nanoparticles. Almost complete degradation of levofloxacin was attained by the CCC system with a reaction rate constant of 0.041212 min−1 under optimal conditions (neutral pH, catalyst dose= 2 g/L, and initial concentration of the pollutant= 10 mg/L). CCC heterojunction photocatalyst exhibited excellent stability and recyclability with minimal leaching of metal ions. In addition, CCC displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and - negative bacteria. Also, the results of planting experiments exhibited the possibility of discharging the treated levofloxacin solutions to irrigate green space. The results of this study provide new insight into the fabrication of unique ternary nanocomposites with diverse applications and excellent photocatalytic performance.