This study demonstrates the practical viability of Ag-Fe-TiO₂ composite beads as a scalable and sustainable solution for solar-driven water purification, specifically targeting the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP), a persistent antibiotic pollutant. By repurposing industrial waste—fly ash (FA) and foundry sand (FS)—as low-cost, iron-rich support materials, the system transforms environmental liabilities into functional catalysts. These waste-derived components are combined with natural bentonite clay to form spherical, mechanically robust beads with an average diameter of 10 mm, enabling easy handling and integration into fixed-bed reactors suitable for continuous flow operations.
The catalytic core consists of silver-doped TiO₂, which enhances visible light absorption by reducing the bandgap from 2.96 eV (P25) to 2.82 eV, allowing efficient utilization of solar radiation. The resulting composite exhibits high photocatalytic activity under natural sunlight, achieving 94.4% CIP degradation within 60 minutes under optimized conditions: pH 3.5451-09-2 Molecular Weight 5, H₂O₂ dose of 300 mg/L, 100% surface coverage with beads, A/V ratio of 0.712 cm²/mL, and oxygen flow rate of 3.5 L/min. The dual-process mechanism—simultaneous photocatalysis and photo-Fenton reaction—ensures sustained •OH generation, minimizing electron-hole recombination and maximizing oxidative capacity.
One of the key strengths of this system is its exceptional durability. After 30 consecutive cycles, the beads retained over 81.6% degradation efficiency, with SEM-EDS and XRD analyses confirming minimal structural degradation or loss of active components. Systematic iron leaching was observed throughout the process, maintaining the Fenton cycle without excessive sludge formation—a major advantage over traditional homogeneous systems. Moreover, the immobilized nature of the catalyst eliminates post-treatment separation costs, a critical factor for real-world scalability.1397-89-3 IUPAC Name
Mineralization analysis via GC-MS revealed complete breakdown of CIP into inorganic end-products such as CO₂, H₂O, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, and F⁻, indicating thorough elimination of organic contaminants.PMID:29261893 Toxicity assessments using E. coli DH-5a confirmed that treated effluent posed no antibacterial threat after 60 minutes, validating detoxification. This makes the system not only effective but also safe for discharge into natural water bodies.
The use of locally available industrial waste reduces material costs and supports circular economy principles. The reactor design is compatible with large-scale fixed-bed configurations, suitable for municipal wastewater treatment plants or decentralized systems in developing regions. Solar irradiation ensures energy sustainability, while the low operational complexity allows for minimal maintenance.
In conclusion, the Ag-Fe-TiO₂ composite bead system presents a compelling, eco-friendly, and economically feasible alternative for pharmaceutical pollution control. Its ability to combine waste valorization, solar energy utilization, long-term stability, and complete mineralization positions it as a promising candidate for real-world deployment in sustainable water treatment infrastructure.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com