Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐67/Barium Zirconate Titanate Nanocomposite Photocatalyst, Part II: Efficacy of Scavenging Agents and the Process Kinetics in Tetracycline Photodegradation

ABSTRACT There is a significant concern regarding the extended presence of antibiotics in the environment, as they may negatively impact ecological systems and human health. Antibiotics, unlike many other pollutants, are designed to be stable and effective in the human body. However, it is essential to note that this advantageous characteristic can contribute to their prolonged existence and resistance to environmental breakdown. ZIF‐67 and BaTi 0.85 Zr 0.15 O 3 nanomaterials are used in this investigation. A double Z‐scheme nano‐heterojunction BaTi 0.85 Zr 0.15 O 3 /ZIF‐67 (BTZ/ZIF‐67) nanocomposite was designed for the improvement of photocatalytic degradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC). Material synthesis was carried out by the one‐step coprecipitation method. Using scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the nanophotocatalyst and the formation of heterojunctions on the nanocomposite. Under light irradiation, the nanocomposite with a mass ratio of (30%wt) of BTZ/ZIF‐67 showed the best photodegradation efficiency. The best results were obtained at 0.8 g L −1 of the catalyst, C TC : 30 mg L −1 , a pH of 5, and 180 min of illumination. Several scavenging agents were studied for their effects on TC photodegradation, and it was determined that photogenerated electrons, superoxide radicals, OH radicals, and photogenerated holes play an important role. Accordingly, the Z‐scheme mechanism was proposed to illustrate the charge carriers' transfer during the TC photodegradation process. According to the kinetic study, the photodegradation of TC molecules had an apparent rate constant of 0.0116 min −1 , corresponding to a t 1/2 value of 59.7 min. A COD has been conducted to determine the details of TC's mineralization. The Hinshelwood model applied to COD results for photodegraded TC showed that TC mineralization occurs at a rate constant of 0.020 min −1 , equivalent to 34.6 min in t 1/2 .