Photolytic and TiO2-Assisted Photodegradation of Aqueous Solutions of Tetracycline
- Authors: A DI PAOLA; M ADDAMO; AUGUGLIARO V; E GARCIA-LOPEZ; V LODDO; G MARCI; L PALMISANO
- Publication year: 2004
- Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Key words: tetracycline photodegradation; photolysis; heterogeneous photocatalysis; titanium dioxide
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/16654
Abstract
Aqueous solutions of tetracycline were UV-irradiated in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Tetracycline disappeared in both systems, but the presence of TiO2 accelerated the photodegradation of the antibiotic in comparison with direct photolysis. The rate of decomposition was dependent on the concentration of tetracycline and its degradation on the surface of TiO2 can be described by means of a pseudo-first order kinetics. Photolysis involved only the photodeamination of tetracycline and a partial mineralization. Unlikely, the treatment with TiO2 and UV-light resulted in a complete mineralization of the antibiotic drug.