Visible Light-Responsive Nanoflower Spheres Bi2-xMoO6:xY3+ for Degradation of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

Treatment of residual antibiotics in water is one of the hottest issues facing humanity today, and residual antibiotics can jeopardize the environment and human health. In this study, a Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺ photocatalytic material was prepared to treat residual antibiotics. Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺ showed excellent sensitivity to ciprofloxacin. The experimental results showed that the degradation performance of different ratios of Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺ for ciprofloxacin was much higher than that of a single material. Among them, 1000 mg/L Bi_1.93MoO₆:0.07Y³⁺ showed 96.99% degradation of ciprofloxacin under LED light irradiation, and 97.15% under sunlight irradiation, which highlighted the good photoresponsivity ability of the material. In addition, Bi_1.93MoO₆:0.07Y³⁺ removed 43.08% of total nitrogen, 78.00% of total phosphorus, and reduced 84.07% of chemical oxygen demand in aquaculture wastewater within 300 min. The ability of Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺ to treat real wastewater was demonstrated, proving the good application prospect of Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺. MTT cytotoxicity assay proved the non-toxicity of Bi_2-xMoO₆:xY³⁺ at laboratory concentration from the cellular level. Stability and recyclability studies confirmed its structural integrity over multiple cycles, highlighting its long-term viability. This study provides a new material that is green, simple, easy to prepare, and has good photocatalytic degradation capability, which is expected to be applied in treating residual antibiotics.