Degradation of Tetracycline with Photocatalysis by CeO2-Loaded Soybean Powder Carbon

In the process of using photocatalysts to treat tetracycline (TC) wastewater, the degradation efficiency of soybean powder carbon material (SPC) can be improved by loading it with cerium oxide (CeO2). In this study, firstly, SPC was modified by phytic acid. Then, the CeO2 was deposited on modified SPC using the self-assembly method. Catalyzed cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (CeH3NO4) was treated with alkali and calcined at 600 °C under nitrogen. XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS, UV-VIS /DRS, FTIR, PL and N2 adsorption–desorption methods were used to characterize the crystal structure, chemical composition, morphology, surface physical and chemical properties. The effects of catalyst dosage, monomer contrast, pH value and co-existing anions on TC oxidation degradation were investigated, and the reaction mechanism of a 600 Ce-SPC photocatalytic reaction system was discussed. The results show that the 600 Ce-SPC composite presents uneven gully morphology, which is similar to the natural “briquettes”. The degradation efficiency of 600 Ce-SPC reached about 99% at 60 min under light irradiation when the optimal catalyst dosage and pH were 20 mg and 7. Meanwhile, the reusability of the 600 Ce-SPC samples showed good stability and catalytic activity after four cycles.