BiOBr-rice husk carbon composite for antibiotic degradation.

Highly efficient visible light photocatalysts are necessary to address the water pollution caused by antibiotics. In the present study, bismuth oxybromide-rice husk-derived carbon (BiOBr-RHC) composites (with different wt% of RHC) were prepared via a simple solid-state method. Results of the studies indicate that the use of rice husk carbon has a considerable effect on the degradation of the commonly used fluoroquinolone antibiotic norfloxacin (NOR). BiOBr-RHC-10 exhibits the highest catalytic degradation towards NOR under visible light irradiation among the developed composite catalysts. Introducing carbon in the composites provides better separation of charge carriers, thereby reducing the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs. The promising visible-light-driven catalytic activity of the BiOBr-RHC composite makes it a potential candidate for the effective degradation of the antibiotic present in wastewater. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of visible light activate BiOBr-RHC via solid state reaction method. • Among different wt% of RHC, BiOBr-RHC-10 composite exhibit better photocatalytic efficiency. • Approximately 93% of the Norfloxacin antibiotic was degraded within 180min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]