A comprehensive study on the application of FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO magnetic nanocomposites as a novel photo-catalyst for degradation of tamoxifen in the presence of simulated sunlight

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 261; p. 114127
• Main Authors: Nasseh, Negin, Al-Musawi, Tariq J., Miri, Mohammad Reza, Rodriguez-Couto, Susana, Hossein Panahi, Ayat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2020
• Subjects: By-products; FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO nanocomposite; Kinetics; Photo-catalytic reactions; Tamoxifen degradation; Tamoxifen degradation; Kinetics; Photo-catalytic reactions; By-products; FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO nanocomposite
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114127

Pharmaceutical compounds at trace concentrations are found in the environment, especially in drinking water and food, posing significant negative effects on humans as well as on animals. This paper aimed to examine the diagnostic catalytic properties and efficacy of a novel synthesized photocatalyst, namely FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO magnetic nanocomposite, for the removal of tamoxifen (TMX) from wastewater under simulated sunlight. According to the results, it was found that TMX was completely degraded operating under optimized conditions (i.e. pH = 7, catalyst dose = 0.01 g/L, initial TMX concentration = 20 mg/L and reaction time = 60 min). The reaction kinetics of TMX degradation followed a pseudo-first order kinetics model. The final by-products from the TMX photodegradation were water, carbon dioxide, acetic acid, nitroacetic acid methyl ester, 2-methyl-2-pentenal, and 4-methyl-2-pentanol. In addition, the synthesized photocatalyst could successfully performed five consecutive photodegradation cycles. The obtained results revealed that the synthesized FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO magnetic nanocomposite holds a great potential to be applied as a photocatalyst for the degradation of TMX on an industrial scale. [Display omitted] •FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO magnetic nano-composite photocatalyst for degradation of tamoxifen.•The synthesized nano-composite possess excellent catalytical properties.•100% degradation of tamoxifen was achieved at first 60 min and 0.01 g nano-composite.•The final products of tamoxifen degradation process were ordinary materials.•FeNi3@SiO2@ZnO magnetic nano-composite was an efficacious photocatalyst.