Desarrollo y evaluación de un macro fotocatalizador de dióxido de titanio dopado con un metal para la degradación de un antibiótico en agua

Abstract

Abstract: In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation of amoxicillin in water was investigated using TiO₂/clay photocatalysts doped with different silver loadings. The effect of both solar and artificial radiation was evaluated. Amoxicillin degradation at concentrations of 20 ppm and 1000 ppm was quantified by HPLC. The experimental design included photolysis tests, photocatalytic assays, and dark experiments to distinguish between photocatalytic activity and adsorption effects. The results showed that photolysis and dark experiments led to non-significant degradation levels below 1%, indicating that the observed amoxicillin removal is mainly attributable to the photocatalytic process. At a concentration of 20 ppm, degradation efficiencies close to 100% were achieved, demonstrating high photocatalytic performance under both radiation sources. In contrast, at the higher concentration of 1000 ppm, a decrease in efficiency was observed, with degradation values ranging from 30% to 50%. In summary, the results confirm that silver-doped TiO₂/clay photocatalysts represent an efficient, stable, and reusable alternative for the degradation of antibiotics in water.