Photocatalytic Degradation of Rifampicin: Influencing Parameters and Mechanism

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of rifampicin antibiotic in aqueous solution under solar irradiation is investigated using ZnO as photocatalyst. The effect of experimental parameters such as ZnO load, initial rifampicin concentration, pH and the presence of salts (NaCl, NaHCO3, and Na2SO4) is studied. The kinetic study using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model is also reported. A photocatalytic degradation mechanism is proposed.