Enhancement of Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline by Co-Doped TiO(2) Templated by Waste Tobacco Stem Silk

In this study, Co-doped TiO(2) was synthesized using waste tobacco stem silk (TSS) as a template via a one-pot impregnation method. These samples were characterized using various physicochemical techniques such as N(2) adsorption/desorption analysis, diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The synthesized material was used for the photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) under visible light (420–800 nm). No strong photodegradation activity was observed for mesoporous TiO(2) synthesized using waste TSS as a template, mesoporous Co-doped TiO(2), or TiO(2). In contrast, Co-doped mesoporous TiO(2) synthesized using waste TSS as a template exhibited significant photocatalytic degradation, with 86% removal of TCH. Moreover, owing to the unique chemical structure of Ti-O-Co, the energy gap of TiO(2) decreased. The edge of the absorption band was redshifted, such that the photoexcitation energy for generating electron–hole pairs decreased. The electron–hole separation efficiency improved, rendering the microstructured biotemplated TiO(2) a much more efficient catalyst for the visible-light degradation of TCH.