BiOX/Bi ₂ MoO ₆ /Bi ₂ O ₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) Ternary Composites for Efficient Degradation of Ciprofloxacin From Wastewater Driven by Visible Light

ABSTRACT Pharmaceutical contamination of water bodies, particularly in developing countries, is a growing environmental concern due to self‐medication. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies to eliminate these contaminants from water bodies. In this study, BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)‐based ternary composites (BiOX/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Bi 2 O 3 ) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method for the efficient photocatalytic removal of ciprofloxacin (CFX) from wastewater. Characterization of the composites was conducted using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), UV‐visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to examine their structural, optical, and morphological properties. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated under visible light, and several parameters, such as catalyst dose, irradiation time, CFX concentration, and pH of the solution, were optimized. Active species involved in the degradation process were identified using scavengers such as p‐benzoquinone (p‐BQ), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ). The BiOCl/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Bi 2 O 3 composite demonstrated the highest degradation of 90.79% for CFX under optimal conditions (0.5 g/L catalyst dose, 5 ppm CFX solution, pH 7–8). The photocatalyst was also shown to be stable and reusable for up to five cycles without significant loss of performance. The improved photocatalytic efficiency of BiOCl/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Bi 2 O 3 was due to favorable band‐structure alignment among its components, chemical stability, and the potential synergistic effects. This study highlights the effectiveness of BiOX/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Bi 2 O 3 ternary composites in addressing pharmaceutical wastewater contamination via visible light‐driven photocatalysis.