Microwave‐assisted green synthesized TiO2 mediated nano photocatalytic degradation of prulifloxacin: A mechanistic study

The present investigation reports an effective, environmentally benevolent method for the removal of pharmaceutical waste from the contaminated water. Popular fluoroquinolone antibiotic prulifloxacin residue was taken as a sample of contaminant. Different irradiation conditions were used to explore the ability of TiO2 nanoparticles in the photodegradation of prulifloxacin. Aqueous lichen extract was used to fabricate the TiO2 nanoparticles. The assessment of the physical and chemical properties of the fabricated materials was examined by using well‐established analytical methodologies. The UV–vis spectra depicted the surface plasmon resonance peak at 282 nm. The XRD spectra revealed the particle nature of the developed nanomaterials and the result of the XRD spectrum depicted that the average diameter of the fabricated materials was found to be in the range of 20–30 nm. The FTIR spectra depicted the characteristic band at 750 cm−1, which corresponded to the Ti─O stretching mode of vibration. The SEM micrograph of the developed nanoparticles exhibited the irregular morphology of the developed nanoparticles. The present report critically analyzes the possible route of the degradation of prulifloxacin in the presence of microwave‐assisted green synthesized TiO2 NPs. The photodegradation of the prulifloxacin was not notably influenced by reactive oxygen species. Diverse analytical techniques were utilized to perform the structural analysis of the photoproduct. Results of the proposed investigation indicate that the rate of the photodegradation of prulifloxcin is highest when the drug is irradiated at 310 nm light in the presence of TiO2 NPs.