Advanced Cu–MXene composite catalyst for photocatalytic antibiotic removal in wastewater

Antibiotic contamination in wastewaters poses severe risks to public health and ecosystems. However, remediation using common treatment methods is inefficient, necessitating the development of advanced remediation strategies. This study introduces a novel Cu-Cu₂O-rGO/Ti₃C₂ MXene (CGTM) nanocomposite photocatalyst, designed for the efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC), a representative antibiotic commonly found in wastewater, under visible light irradiation. The synergistic integration of Cu₂O and MXene developed charge separation, suppressed electron-hole recombination, and enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The CGTM photocatalyst was synthesised via a sonochemical approach and characterised systematically using XRD, SEM, EDS, TGA, FTIR, BET, and zeta potential analyses. Optimisation via Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD) achieved a noteworthy TC degradation efficiency of 95 % under optimal conditions, viz. 0.47 g/L catalyst dosage, 48 ppm TC concentration, 50 min irradiation, and pH 5.15. The photocatalyst retained 85 % efficiency after five cycles, confirming material stability and reusability. Mechanistic investigations identified hydroxyl radicals and holes as primary reactive species, with kinetic modelling demonstrating first-order degradation behaviour, confirming effective radical-driven photocatalysis. Practical assessments showed high performance at reduced catalyst dosages, enhancing economic feasibility. These findings confirm the formulated CGTM as a scalable, eco-friendly solution for mitigating antibiotic pollution in wastewater, addressing global environmental challenges.