Visible-light-driven NiTiO3/Cu3P/CdFe2O4 dual Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient removal of chlortetracycline antibiotic: Experimental insights, adsorption-photocatalysis and DFT studies
Surfaces and Interfaces, cilt.101, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 101
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.111108
- Dergi Adı: Surfaces and Interfaces
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, INSPEC
- Anahtar Kelimeler: CTC degradation, DFT analysis, Dual Z-scheme, NiTiO3/Cu3P/CdFe2O4, Titanate-based photocatalysis
- Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In the present work, a novel dual Z-scheme (DZS) heterojunction photocatalyst, i.e., NiTiO3/Cu3P/CdFe2O4 (NTO/Cu3P/CFO), was fabricated via an ex situ synthesis approach and demonstrated synergistic adsorption-photocatalysis. The ternary heterojunction achieved 96.89% removal efficiency of CTC within 120 min, which was higher than that of the binary and bare photocatalysts. The outstanding performance of NTO/Cu3P/CFO was ascribed to the efficient separation and transference of photogenerated charge carriers by a unique DZS pathway. Due to the synergistic adsorption-photocatalysis mechanism, the pollutant was adsorbed onto the photocatalyst surface, which subsequently degraded the CTC antibiotic via photocatalytic redox reactions. The enhanced photodegradation rate of the NTO/Cu3P/CFO heterojunction was further supported by PL, EIS, and TPR analysis, confirming the lower recombination rate and higher migration of charge carriers due to the DZS pathway. Furthermore, the involvement of ROS during CTC photodegradation was validated by scavenging experiments and ESR studies, confirming the significant role of •OH, and O2•−. Additionally, the DFT computations were performed to elucidate the electronic band structures and bandgap characteristics of NTO, Cu3P, and CFO photocatalysts, which provided theoretical insights and were consistent with experimental findings. The recyclability tests further confirmed the stability of the NTO/Cu3P/CFO heterojunction up to five cycles, due to its magnetic property. Lastly, the LC-MS analysis, along with DFT calculations, investigated the presence of various intermediates generated during CTC photodegradation. Based on the above findings, the degradation pathway and photocatalytic mechanism were proposed. This research emphasizes the potential of DZS heterojunctions as an effective photocatalyst for practical wastewater treatment applications.