Sun light driven photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by TiO2@NiCo2O4 core-shell nanoparticles synthesized via homogeneous precipitation

In the current work, TiO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by coating NiCo 2 O 4 nanoflakes on TiO 2 microspheres via homogeneous precipitation. The structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of the core-shell NPs were studied using XRD , UV–visible spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, XPS, PL spectroscopy, TEM , SEM and EDXA techniques. After characterization, the TiO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles were employed as photocatalyst to degrade tetracycline (TC), an antibiotic drug, in an aqueous solution under sunlight. The catalytic properties of TiO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 core-shell NPs result from synergistic interaction between the NiCo 2 O 4 shell and the TiO 2 core. Coupling NiCo 2 O 4 shell with TiO 2 core results in larger surface area of materials, smaller band gap with more active sites, thus allowing faster photodegradation of TC under sunlight. • First time, TiO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized via homogeneous precipitation method. • The TiO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles show good photodegradation of tetracycline (an antibiotic). • The catalytic efficiency of core-shell NPs depends on particle size, composition, and shell thickness.