Removal of cetirizine dihydrochloride from different matrices waters using Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst under simulated solar irradiation: Kinetics, mechanism, and effect of environmental media

Benssassi M. E. H., Dali A., Sehili T., Üstün Odabaşı S., Harakat D.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, cilt.32, sa.2, ss.833-848, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11356-024-35820-3
  • Dergi Adı: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.833-848
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Bi2O3/TiO2, Cetirizine dihydrochloride, Hydroxyl radical, Photodegradation, Photohole, Real aqueous matrices
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this study, the photodegradation of cetirizine dihydrochloride (CET) by Bi2O3/TiO2 heterojunctions under simulated solar light irradiation (300-800nm) was examined in detail for the first time. A hydrothermal synthesis of the photocatalyst was carried out, and several analytical techniques were used to characterize the product. The resulting Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst effectively removed CET from an aqueous solution. The Bi2O3/TiO2 (5.0%/95.0%) ratio exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for CET degradation, degrading 75.85% of CET after 60 min of irradiation, with a high pseudo-first-order rate constant (kapp = 0.022 min−1; t1/2 = 31.50 min; natural pH). Moreover, TOC decreased by 40.45% after 420 min of irradiation. The Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst has also been proven effective in degrading CET in different real aqueous matrices (Seawater (99.89%) > spring water (68.44%) > tap water (52.62%)), and the degradation under natural solar irradiation is more effective and faster than under artificial irradiation. Additionally, the Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst demonstrated excellent photo-stability in a five-cycle photocatalytic experiment. The influence of various parameters showed that the removal of CET was heightened with a dose of 1 g/L of the Bi2O3/TiO2 and enhanced under acidic conditions (pH = 2.3). Moreover, the involvement of different reactive species was investigated by introducing diverse scavengers, revealing that hydroxyl radicals and photo-holes were the main reactive species involved in the CET photodegradation process over the Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalyst. The primary photodegradation byproducts were identified using HPLC–MS analysis, and a possible mechanism was proposed.