Efficient tetracycline removal from hospital wastewater using visible light active M-type lead hexaferrite/g-C₃N₄ composites

The hospital wastewater is major contributor to pharmaceutical contaminants, particularly antibiotic like tetracycline. Tetracycline is often found as a pollutant in water bodies, primarily due to its improper disposal and excretion through human and animal waste. This wastewater poses serious environmental and health risks. We synthesized a novel composite material M type lead hexaferrites/g-carbon nitride (PbFe₁₂O₁₉/g-C₃N₄) to address this alarming issue. The combine effect of lead hexaferrite with graphitic-C₃N₄, aiming to enhance the degradation of tetracycline (TC). The characterization of the synthesized composite was conducted using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared radiation spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic output of the samples was evaluated under sunlight irradiation. The results demonstrated superior removal efficiency of tetracycline up to 90% in only 60 min compared to individual components. This work highlights the potential of PbFe₁₂O₁₉/g-C₃N₄ composites as effective photocatalysts for treating pharmaceutical contaminants especially tetracycline in wastewater.