Photocatalytic degradation of minocycline by microwave electrodeless ultraviolet process coupled with TiO2: Performance and degradation pathway

The discharge of medical wastewater contaminated with antibiotics poses significant risks to both the environment and human health. This study investigates the degradation of simulated minocycline wastewater through the microwave electrodeless ultraviolet (MW/UV) process coupled with TiO 2 photocatalysis. The specific objective is to evaluate optimal conditions for MW/UV photocatalytic degradation while elucidating the degradation mechanisms and potential pathways. The results indicate that the optimal degradation conditions yield a total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency of 96.05 % after 8 hours of treatment. Additionally, the study examines the types and roles of free radicals involved in the degradation process, quantifying the contribution of each radical. A total of sixteen intermediates were identified, further providing insight into the degradation process and proposing a plausible degradation pathway for minocycline.