Photodegradation of norfloxacin adsorbed on clay and carbon-clay nanomaterials: an evaluation based on antimicrobial tests

Abstract

The antibiotic norfloxacin was adsorbed on clay and carbon-clay nanocomposites (MD-210 and MDac3-210-500, synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization of dextrose) but maintained its antimicrobial activity once adsorbed. To degrade it, direct (DP) and indirect (IP, with sulfate radicals) photolysis were performed. Antimicrobial activity tests were performed to evaluate the degradation generated. There were no significant differences between DP and IP for unabsorbed norfloxacin solution. The IP treatment caused a loss of antibiotic activity in all cases. For DP, the carbon samples showed better results than those of clay, evidencing the importance of oxygenated carbonaceous groups in the photolysis of norfloxacin.

Urea and ammonium fluoride di-nitrogen and Cu & Fe bi-metal co-doped carbon felt as cathode for electro-Fenton degradation of norfloxacin: 1O2-dominated oxidation pathway

“…Norfloxacin (NOR) is a type of chemically synthesized, broadspectrum antibiotic widely applied to treat human beings and animal husbandry; however, the release or discharge of this antibiotic during its production and application results in severe ecological problems. 1,2 Thus, various methods have been applied for its degradation, such as physical adsorption, 3 biological methods, 4 and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). 5 Among them, the heterogeneous electro-Fenton technology (HEF) is a type of environmentally friendly, efficient and economically feasible method using a nonhomogeneous bifunctional cathode catalyst to in situ generate hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and other active species such as hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), to degrade organic pollutants in water.…”

“…Norfloxacin (NOR) is a type of chemically synthesized, broad-spectrum antibiotic widely applied to treat human beings and animal husbandry; however, the release or discharge of this antibiotic during its production and application results in severe ecological problems. 1,2 Thus, various methods have been applied for its degradation, such as physical adsorption, 3 biological methods, 4 and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). 5…”