Enhancing photocatalytic degradation of beta-blocker drugs using TiO NPs/zeolite and ZnO NPs/zeolite as photocatalysts: optimization and kinetic investigations.

This study delves into the development and optimization of photocatalysts, namely ZnO NPs/Zeolite and TiO NPs/Zeolite, for the degradation of two beta-blocker drugs, including Atenolol (AT) and Metoprolol (ME). Structural and morphological analyses of the catalysts were conducted, and optimal conditions for drug degradation were determined using a Box-Behnken design. The results underscored the significant influence of pH, catalyst amount, drug concentration, and HO concentration on the degradation process using ZnO NPs/Zeolite and TiO NPs/Zeolite as the catalysts. The optimal values of drug concentration, pH, catalyst amount, and HO concentration, were determined to be 32 and 33 mg L, 4.2 and 4.6, 428 and 386 mg, and 2.6 and 2.5 mM utilizing ZnO NPs/Zeolite and TiO NPs/Zeolite as the catalyst, respectively. Following optimization, the kinetics of the photodegradation process were investigated, revealing promising rates and half-life times for both drugs. The pseudo-first-order rate constants for Atenolol and Metoprolol degradation were 0.064 ± 0.007 min and 0.065 ± 0.004 min with ZnO NPs/Zeolite and 0.071 ± 0.007 min and 0.071 ± 0.006 min with TiO NPs/Zeolite, respectively. Furthermore, ZnO NPs/Zeolite and TiO NPs/Zeolite demonstrated reusability up to 5 and 6 times, respectively, without significant activity loss. The comparative analysis highlighted the superior performance of TiO NPs/Zeolite over ZnO NPs/Zeolite, attributed to lower consumption, shorter degradation time, improved reusability, and compatibility with milder acidic conditions. Overall, the research showcases the potential of ZnO NPs/Zeolite and TiO NPs/Zeolite as an effective and sustainable solution for removing Metoprolol and Atenolol contaminants.