Destruction of oxytetracycline using a microwave-assisted fused TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation system

We developed a novel and efficient degradation process for oxytetracycline (OTC), an antibiotic that remains in the aquatic environment and affects humans and animals. OTC was decomposed by applying a fusion TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation process adding microwaves, and various unit technologies and their fusion effects were investigated. As the microwave power increased, the decomposition efficiency increased, and the highest decomposition rate was shown in the neutral pH reaction solution. The decomposition rate was greatly increased by the addition of hydrogen peroxide, and it showed a synergistic effect that the decomposition efficiency was doubled by fusion with other processes. Eleven intermediate products of OCT decomposition were detected by liquid chromatography0mass spectrometry; CO₂, H₂O, NH₄⁺, and NO₄⁻ by active oxidizing species, such as OH radicals generated by the microwave-assisted fused TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation process were mineralized.