Au-nanoparticle/nanopillars TiO2 meso-porous thin films in the degradation of tetracycline using UV-A light

Abstract Novel meso-porous nanoparticles Au/TiO 2 thin films were obtained by template synthesis using polyethylene glycol as filler medium. The materials were characterized by advanced analytical methods. The photocatalysts were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline from aqueous solutions using UV-A light (λ max 330 nm). Various physico-chemical parametric studies enabled to deduce the mechanism of degradation. A significant percentage of tetracycline was mineralized by the treatment. The stability of thin film was evidenced with the repeated use of thin film. The degradation of tetracycline was proceeded predominantly by the OH radicals generated at the valance and conduction band of semiconductor.