LAUSR

Abstract CdS/CaFe2O4 supported onto clinoptilolite zeolite (CdS-CaFe2O4-CP) was prosperously prepared and authenticated by extensive characterization techniques (XRD, FE-SEM, EDX-Mapping, TEM, VSM, BET/BJH, UV–Vis-DRS, and PL). Two approaches of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were employed to assess the photoactivity of ternary nanocomposite toward degradation of cefazoline (CFZ) under visible light irradiation. The RSM results indicated that more than 86% of CFZ was degraded under optimized conditions ([Catalyst]0: 0.6 g L−1; [CFZ]0: 15 mg L−1; pH: 7; Time: 90 min). Based on the ANN results, the pH of solution was the most influential parameter with 30% effect on the degradation extent. Exploration of the process mechanism revealed that °O2− and h+ were the main active species of the Z-scheme photocatalyst. Recognition of intermediates by GC–MS demonstrated that the CFZ degradation pathway produced innocuous end products. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and the Eyring transition state theory were employed for kinetics and thermodynamics studies, respectively. It was showed that the involved process was endothermic and followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics model well. In summary, the advantage of the prepared composite in the role of visible-light-driven photocatalyst was approved to treat and eradicate refractory contaminants.