Magnetically Recyclable MoS2/TiO2 Binary Photocatalyst for Visible-Light Degradation of Levofloxacin

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors
Niloufar Khesali 1
Shiva Masoudi 1
Mohammad Hadi Ghasemi 2
Nasrin Masnabadi 3
1 1 Department of Chemistry, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
2 2 Appliyed Chemistry Research Group, ACECR-Tehran Organization, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
3 3 Department of Chemistry, Roudhen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudhen, Islamic Republic of Iran
10.22059/jsciences.2026.405244.1007966
Abstract
A binary MoS2/TiO2 magnetic composite (MMT) was synthesized and evaluated as a photocatalyst for the degradation of levofloxacin (LFX), a pharmaceutical pollutant. The structure and properties of MMT were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, EDX, VSM, and SEM. The composite exhibits strong magnetic properties, enabling easy magnetic recovery and reuse. Optimization experiments showed that pH, contact time, and catalyst dosage significantly influence LFX degradation. The highest degradation efficiency occurred at pH 6, with a catalyst dose of 50 mg and a reaction time of 60 minutes. At an initial LFX concentration of 10 mg/L, the MMT composite achieved 96% degradation. Furthermore, the photocatalyst maintained more than 65% efficiency after five consecutive reuse cycles. These results indicate that the MoS2/TiO2 composite is an effective and magnetically recyclable photocatalyst for mitigating pharmaceutical pollutants in water.
Keywords
Magnetic Photocatalyst
Molybdenum Sulfide
Titanium Dioxide
Levofloxacin
Photodegradation
Subjects
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Journal of Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran
Volume 36, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 205-215