|
Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline in Aquaculture Wastewater Using Copper Oxide/Graphene Oxide (CuO/GO) Nanocomposite
|
Mohammadjavad Jahanshahi    , Negin alsadat Mirhosseini rayen |
| University of Jiroft , jahanshahi.mohamadjavad@gmail.com |
|
|
Abstract: (73 Views) |
Background and Objectives: This work investigated the design and synthesis of a copper oxide/graphene oxide (CuO/GO) nanocatalyst for the removal of the pharmaceutical pollutant tetracycline from synthetic and real aquaculture wastewater. The use of advanced water treatment technologies is increasingly important to address the rising levels of pharmaceutical contaminants in water resources. Tetracycline, a widely used antibiotic in aquaculture, can enter water sources due to its low resistance to biological degradation, posing harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Given the limitations of conventional treatment methods, this research focuses on designing semiconductor nanomaterials and synthesizing the CuO/GO nanocomposite, with the ultimate goal of achieving maximum photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline.
Methods: In this study, graphite powder was used as a source for synthesizing graphene oxide nanosheets via the modified Hummers' method, and the final CuO/GO nanocomposite was synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The photocatalytic degradation performance of this nanocomposite in removing tetracycline from aquaculture wastewater was evaluated. Influential parameters such as initial concentration, pH, contact time, and nanocomposite dosage were optimized. The structure and morphology of the CuO/GO nanocomposite were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
Findings: The results confirmed the high potential of the CuO/GO nanocomposite in effectively removing tetracycline from aquaculture wastewater and its stability over multiple recovery and reuse cycles. The nanocomposite achieved 97% tetracycline removal under a wide range of operational parameters through a photocatalytic degradation mechanism. Optimization of various processes, including nanocomposite dosage, contact time, and pH, led to higher removal efficiency and faster degradation rates. After four recovery cycles, only a slight reduction in removal efficiency was observed.
Conclusion: The CuO/GO nanocomposite, combining copper oxide and grapheme oxide, is introduced as an innovative and efficient method for removing tetracycline from aquaculture wastewater. By increasing active surface area and improving electron transfer, this nanocomposite successfully achieves maximum antibiotic removal under different operational conditions. These findings provide a basis for developing advanced and efficient water treatment methods, representing a significant step toward protecting water resources and mitigating the harmful environmental impacts of such pollutants on ecosystems. |
|
| Keywords: Sustainable Purification, Tetracycline Removal, Photocatalytic Degradation, Nanomaterials, Water Treatment |
|
|
|
Type of Study: Research/ Original/ Regular Article |
Subject:
Marine Environment / Marine pollution
Received: 2025/06/1 | Revised: 2025/12/13 | Accepted: 2025/12/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
