Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of sparfloxacin

Liquid Impregnation (LI) technique was developed to prepare 1% and 2% Ag doped Titania nanoparticles. The characterization of the prepared nanoparticles was achieved by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The crystallite size was obtained by Scherrer equation analysis of XRD main peak of doped and undoped nanoparticles. It was observed that crystallite size of bare TiO2 was 17.00 nm, whilst the crystallite size of 1% Ag doped titania and 2% Ag doped titania was 13.07 nm to 14.17 nm. TEM images ascertained that particle size of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles were in the range 40-45 nm in length and 10-15 nm in width. The pH of the solution exerted a negative effect on photodegradation rate of sparfloxacin. The masking effect on the degradation of sparfloxacin was observed at higher catalyst dosages. The increase in UV intensity linearly enhanced the degradation rate of sparfloxacin and the influence of initial sparfloxacin concentration on the degradation rate was investigated and discussed. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.