Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline wastewater using surfactant-modified Au-loaded CeO2 nanorods.

The residues of tetracyclines (TCs) antibiotics present significant challenges in terms of contamination and pose a threat to human health. In this study, a cost-effective n-type semiconductor, CeO2, were loaded with small amounts of Au nanoparticles were fabricated by one-step hydrothermal method under alkaline conditions in the presence of the surfactant CTAB. Characterization tests revealed that Au/CeO2 had significant visible light absorption capacity and good e-/h+ separation efficiency. Photocatalytic degradation results of TC showed that 2% Au/CeO2-CTAB had the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving a degradation rate of 86.4% within 90 min. These values were 3.8 and 2.6 times higher than those of pure CeO2 and CeO2-CTAB (without Au loading), respectively. Loading Au nanoparticles substantially increased the visible light absorption range, reduced bandgap width, and lowered photo-generated carrier recombination rate. Residual e-/h+ on the semiconductor surface activating functional groups, further promoting photocatalytic degradation of pollutants such as TC. Au-loaded CeO2 nano-photocatalysts have potential applications in the environments polluted by antibiotic residues.