Enhanced solar light photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by aero-GaN and ZnO microtetrapods functionalized with noble metal nanodots
Vladimir Ciobanu,
Tatiana Galatonova,
Pavel Urbanek,
Tudor Braniste,
Florica Doroftei,
Milan Masar,
Pavol Suly,
Veaceslav Ursaki,
Barbora Hanulikova,
Tomas Sopik,
Vladimir Sedlarik,
Ivo Kuritka,
Ion Tiginyanu
Affiliations
Vladimir Ciobanu
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania; National Centre for Materials Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, 168, Stefan cel Mare av., 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova; Corresponding author. Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania.
Tatiana Galatonova
National Centre for Materials Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, 168, Stefan cel Mare av., 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Pavel Urbanek
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Tudor Braniste
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania; National Centre for Materials Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, 168, Stefan cel Mare av., 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Florica Doroftei
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania
Milan Masar
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Pavol Suly
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Veaceslav Ursaki
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania; National Centre for Materials Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, 168, Stefan cel Mare av., 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova; Academy of Sciences of Moldova, 1, Stefan cel Mare av., 2001, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Barbora Hanulikova
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Tomas Sopik
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Vladimir Sedlarik
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Ivo Kuritka
Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, 5678, tr. Tomase Bati, CZ 76001, Zlin, Czech Republic
Ion Tiginyanu
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania; National Centre for Materials Study and Testing, Technical University of Moldova, 168, Stefan cel Mare av., 2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova; Academy of Sciences of Moldova, 1, Stefan cel Mare av., 2001, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova; Corresponding author. Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487, Iasi, Romania.
The escalating global problem of antibiotic contamination in wastewater demands innovative and sustainable remediation technologies. This paper presents a highly efficient photocatalytic material for water purification: a three-dimensional ultra-porous structure of interconnected GaN hollow microtetrapods (aero-GaN), its performance being further enhanced by noble metal nanodot functionalization. This novel aero-nanomaterial achieves more than 90 % of tetracycline degradation within 120 min under UV and solar irradiation, demonstrating its effectiveness in both static and dynamic flow conditions, with the potential for reuse and recyclability. The higher surface area and chemical stability of the 3D aero-GaN architecture, compared to analogous ZnO structures, establish its significant potential for advanced water treatment applications and filter technologies.
