Fabrication of a novel MoO3/Zn–Al LDHs composite photocatalyst for efficient degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation

Herein, a novel MoO 3 /Zn–Al LDHs composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared. Morphology, chemical composition, and photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared catalyst were explored by different characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (DRS) and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR). Using tetracycline as a target pollutant, the photocatalytic activity of MoO 3 (10 wt%)/Zn–Al LDHs composite was tested by photodegradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation. The experimental results indicate that the MoO 3 (10 wt%)/Zn–Al LDHs composite exhibited higher photocatalytic removal efficiency than pure Zn–Al LDHs and MoO 3 . The removal efficiency of TC in 60 min could reach 90.5%. It was confirmed that the optimal conditions were a catalyst dosage of 1.0 g/L, an initial pH of 9, and an initial concentration of TC of 40 mg/L. In addition, a possible mechanism for the photodegradation of TC with MoO 3 (10 wt%)/Zn–Al LDHs composite was proposed. The introduction of MoO 3 facilitates the separation of electron-hole pairs. It could be seen that the MoO 3 (10 wt%)/Zn–Al LDHs composite has great application prospects for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.