Synthesis of ZnWO4/NiWO4 photocatalysts and their application in tetracycline hydrochloride degradation and antibacterial activities

Water pollution poses health risks to humans and ecosystems, with long-term accumulation of tetracyclines causing toxicity, disrupting cartilage tissue, and drug resistance, while antibiotics affect plant hormones and microorganisms. Scientists are exploring high-performance materials for antibiotic degradation and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, using photocatalytic techniques as a cost-effective solution. In this study, ZnWO4/NiWO4 composite-based photocatalysts with varying mass ratios (from 10 % to 30 %) were successfully synthesized using hydrothermal and high-temperature calcination. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnWO4/NiWO4 nanocomposite first increases as the mass of NiWO4 increases and then declines progressively. Different techniques were used to characterize its morphological structure and optical characteristics. The photocatalytic activity of ZnWO4/NiWO4 was evaluated using tetracycline hydrochloride as a model pollutant. The study found that a 25 % ZnWO4/NiWO4 composite ratio yielded the highest photocatalytic activity. The degradation efficiency was enhanced to 90.7 % under exposing it to visible light for 2 h. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the S-scheme heterojunction formed by ZnWO4 and NiWO4, which promotes the separation of charge carriers. Remarkably 1 h of testing under simulated solar irradiation demonstrated that 25 % ZnWO4/NiWO4 exhibited a strong antibacterial effect. Finally, this study will lead to a method for fabricating eco-friendly nanomaterials for environmental remediation and antibacterial activities.