Novel synthesis of Ti3C2 MXene/ZnO/CdSe for sonoelectron and photoelectron triggered synergetic sonophotocatalytic degradation with various antibiotics

A straightforward and precise method was employed to generate Ti₃C₂ MXene/ZnO/CdSe photocatalysts by a simple synthesis process involving calcination at a temperature of 400 °C. Optical, structural, morphology, microstructure, and compositional properties of these catalysts were characterized. Results demonstrated that the presence of ZnO and CdSe doping sustained their existence inside the Ti₃C₂ MXene structure. Effects of catalyst powder, pollutant powder, and different degrading methods such as sonophotocatalytic, sonocatalytic, and photocatalytic methods on various antibiotic pollutants were then compared. The degradation efficiencies of sonophotocatalytic method were found to be highly efficient, resulting of 99.99, 99.98, and 99.90 % for ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and ofloxacin, respectively. Analysis of scavenger effect also illustrated the deterioration of ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin, suggesting that superoxide radicals (O₂⁻) had a substantial role in the sonophotocatalytic degradation process. Based on data obtained for ofloxacin, it was clear that the existence of holes (h⁺ quencher) affected the deterioration of ofloxacin in the system. Ti₃C₂ MXene/ZnO/CdSe had a performance in electrochemical sensing. Limits of detection (LODs) for ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and ofloxacin were 39.29, 4.49, and 13.04 ppm, respectively. Limits of quantification (LOQs) for ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and ofloxacin were 119, 13.61, and 39.52 ppm, respectively. Efficient degradation of pollutants using visible light can be achieved by employing straightforwardly manufactured Ti₃C₂ MXene/ZnO/CdSe photocatalysts, making them a practical and promising option.