Date of Defense
25-1-2024 1:00 PM
Location
F3-132
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSChE)
College
College of Engineering
Department
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Muhammad Tahir
Abstract
This research focuses on the development and application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, with a specific emphasis on ciprofloxacin (CIP). The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was investigated using as-synthesized photocatalysts of TiO2 nanowires (TiO2NWs), bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125, TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite, and Lanthanum (La)-doped composite. Intriguingly, the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a photodegradation rate of 0.0111 min-1, surpassing the independent performances of bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125 and TiO2NW. The observed efficiency was attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction which improves charge separation and the generation of active species (•O2– and •OH) under the induced solar irradiation. Furthermore, the first-order rate constant of 0.0111 min-1 estimated for the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 photocatalyst demonstrates promising and competitive performance when compared to prior research. This study emphasizes the potential for enhancing MOF photocatalytic properties through formation of heterojunction with inorganic photocatalysts like TiO2, particularly for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. This research presents a promising solution for addressing pharmaceutical contaminations and invites further exploration into MOFs-based photocatalysis, recognizing experimental limitations and the scarcity of relevant literature
Included in
DEVELOPMENT OF TiO2/NH2-MIL-125 NANOCOMPOSITE FOR THE REMOVAL OF CIPROFLOXACIN UNDER INDUCED SOLAR IRRADIATION
F3-132
This research focuses on the development and application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, with a specific emphasis on ciprofloxacin (CIP). The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was investigated using as-synthesized photocatalysts of TiO2 nanowires (TiO2NWs), bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125, TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite, and Lanthanum (La)-doped composite. Intriguingly, the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a photodegradation rate of 0.0111 min-1, surpassing the independent performances of bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125 and TiO2NW. The observed efficiency was attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction which improves charge separation and the generation of active species (•O2– and •OH) under the induced solar irradiation. Furthermore, the first-order rate constant of 0.0111 min-1 estimated for the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 photocatalyst demonstrates promising and competitive performance when compared to prior research. This study emphasizes the potential for enhancing MOF photocatalytic properties through formation of heterojunction with inorganic photocatalysts like TiO2, particularly for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. This research presents a promising solution for addressing pharmaceutical contaminations and invites further exploration into MOFs-based photocatalysis, recognizing experimental limitations and the scarcity of relevant literature