Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology Advances in Environmental Technology 2476-6674 2 2 2016 04 01 Synthesis of nanocomposite based on Semnan natural zeolite for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light 63 70 399 10.22104/aet.2016.399 EN Farzaneh Saadati Faculty of Nanotechnology, Semnan University, Semnan, 35131-19111, Iran Narjes Keramati Faculty of nanotechnology, Semnan University, Semnan, 35131-19111, Iran Mohsen Mehdipour Ghazi Faculty of Chemical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, 35131-19111, Iran Journal Article 2016 06 13 This study investigated the photocatalytic behaviors for the nanocomposite of TiO₂ P25 and Semnan natural zeolite in the decomposition of tetracycline under visible light in an aqueous solution. The structural features of the composite were investigated by a series of complementary techniques that included X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area (BET) measurement, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The surface area measurement disclosed an enhancement of surface area by ~2 times for the synthesized TiO₂/Semnan natural zeolite than that of commercial TiO₂ P25. The as-prepared photocatalyst (TiO₂/Semnan natural zeolite) showed pH dependence and more than 87% of the tetracycline could be degraded from the solution under visible irradiation within 90 min at a pH of 6. This excellent catalytic ability was mainly attributed to the hybrid effect of the photocatalyst and adsorbent. The results provided new insight into the performance of active photocatalysts on the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater. In addition, the immobilization of TiO₂ onto Semnan natural zeolite permitted easier separation of the adsorbent from the treated water. https://aet.irost.ir/article_399_3d25ef6bb2a30aa32c8b08f12f435d75.pdf