PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF MOXIFLOXACIN USING TITANIA NANOTUBES

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones are a family of antibiotics, with moxifloxacin among one of the fourth generation. Fluoroquinolones are efficient but are incompletely processed during human treatment. They store in environment because of incomplete elimination from sewage and wastewater treatment plants. Present study focuses on photocatalytic degradation of moxifloxacin using TiO2 nanostructures. For this, pure and 1% iron doped titania nanotubes The nanostructures were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Xray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Experiments were performed by adding different dosages (10, 20, 30, 40and 50mg) of nanostructures and placed under ultraviolet and visible light for 120 minutes. Samples were collected after 30 minutes and readings were recorded using UV/V spectrophotometer. Finally degradation of both nanoparticles and nanotubes were compared. The degree of mineralization was confirmed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Kirby- Bauer antibiotic test. Results showed maximum degradation under pure and doped Titania Nanotubes using ultraviolet light.