Designed Redox Ions Pairs imprinted photocatalyst of Fe³⁺@PoPD/TiO₂/HNTs for enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this study, Fe³⁺@PoPD/TiO₂/HNTs composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared by sol-gel method and ion-imprinting technique. The composite photocatalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst was studied by simulating the degradation of tetracycline under sunlight. The results showed that the prepared composite photocatalyst had obvious activity for tetracycline degradation under simulated solar irradiation, and Fe³⁺@PoPD/TiO₂/HNTs-1 had the best performance. The photodegradation rate can reach 91% in 90 min. This work may provide a promising approach for wastewater treatment by utilisation of ion imprinting technique and increasing photocatalytic performance of TiO₂.