Highly efficient degradation of ofloxacin and diclofenac by composite photocatalyst aloe-emodin/PMMA.

Photocatalysis is one of the most effective methods to remove pollutants from water. Photocatalyst is the core of photocatalysis. The composite photocatalyst combines the photosensitizer with the support and uses the photosensitivity of the photosensitizer and the stability and adsorption of the support to achieve efficient and rapid degradation of pharmaceuticals in water. In this study, natural aloe-emodin with π-conjugated structure was used as photosensitizer to react with macroporous resin polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) under mild conditions to prepare composite photocatalysts AE/PMMAs. The photocatalyst underwent photogenerated electron migration under visible light to form O and holes with high oxidation activity, which could realize efficient photocatalytic degradation of ofloxacin and diclofenac sodium and showed excellent stability, recyclability and industrial feasibility. This research has developed an efficient method of composite photocatalyst and realized the application of a natural photosensitizer in pharmaceutical degradations.