Construction of Z-scheme (TiO2/Er3+:YAlO3)/NiFe2O4 photocatalyst composite for intensifying hydrodynamic cavitation degradation of oxytetracycline in aqueous solution

The combinations of HC and AOPs can enhance the degradation efficiency of organic pollutants. In this work, a novel magnetic Z-scheme (TiO2/Er3+:YAlO3)/NiFe2O4 photocatalyst was prepared and a combined system of HC and photocatalysis was constructed for effective degradation of oxytetracycline in wastewater. The effects of several experiment parameters and conditions on the oxytetracycline degradation were considered. In the HC+(TiO2/Er3+:YAlO3)/NiFe2O4 + light system for 90 min continuous cycling, the oxytetracycline degradation ratio reaches 84.45 %, which is much higher than 33.99 % in HC alone, 59.16 % in HC + TiO2 + light and 52.21 % in HC + NiFe2O4 + light. The free radical trapping experiments were performed for exploring the oxytetracycline degradation process and path. The possible oxytetracycline HC degradation mechanism intensified by photocatalysis was proposed. It can be predicted that the combined HC+(TiO2/Er3+:YAlO3)/NiFe2O4 + light system is an effective strategy for large-scale treatment of antibiotic wastewater.