Scalable synthesis of AgX (Cl, Br, I, PO4) nanophotocatalysts for efficient visible-light degradation of persistent antibiotics from aqueous environments


Tugelbay S. Volobuyeva V. Abilkhan A. Tatykayev B.
1 March 2026Elsevier B.V.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
2026#472

The environmental persistence of Nitrofuran antibiotics, particularly Nitrofurazone (C6H6N4O4) and Furagin (C10H8N4O5), poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems due to their bioactivity, chemical stability, and resistance to conventional treatment. In this study, silver-based photocatalysts (AgCl, AgBr, AgI, and Ag3PO4) were synthesized via a scalable mechanochemical route and systematically evaluated for the visible-light-driven degradation of Nitrofurazone (NFZ) and Furagin (FUR). All catalysts demonstrated activity under visible light, with Ag3PO4 and AgCl achieving the highest degradation efficiencies: up to ∼95 % removal of NFZ (rate constant k = 0.03468 min−1) and ∼ 99 % removal of FUR (k = 0.05891 min−1) within 90 min. In contrast, AgBr exhibited limited performance (e.g., 70 % NFZ and 40 % FUR remaining after 90 min). The enhanced photocatalytic activities of Ag3PO4 and AgCl were attributed to efficient visible-light absorption, favorable band structures, and dominant reactive oxygen species (h+ and •OH). Recyclability tests confirmed stability over five cycles with >70 % activity retention. This work demonstrates a green, solvent free synthesis of silver-based nanophotocatalysts and their quantitative performance metrics in degrading recalcitrant pharmaceutical pollutants, offering a promising approach for solar-driven water purification.

Antibiotic degradation , Mechanochemical synthesis , Photocatalysis , Silver halides , Silver phosphate

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Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Ave., 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Qabanbay Batyr Ave., 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry
National Laboratory Astana

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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