Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics by Titania Photocatalyst under Visible ‎Light

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  • Author
    Dr. Ghadeer Jalloul
  • Advisor
    Dr. Mohammad Ahmad
  • RA
    Aya Hachem
  • Level
    Advanced
  • Study time
    ~ 40 minutes
  • Videos
    5
  • Contact
    gj13@aub.edu.lb

Module Overview

This module examines the environmental challenge posed by antibiotic contamination in water and its connection to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance, using Tetracycline as a model pollutant. It introduces photocatalytic degradation using Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a promising treatment approach while discussing its key performance limitations. The module then explores strategies to enhance photocatalytic efficiency, including combining TiO₂ with porous materials such as Zeolites and Metal–organic frameworks and applying iron sensitisation to enable visible-light activation. Through experimental results and comparative analysis, participants learn how material design influences photocatalytic performance and its potential application in real-world water treatment systems.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the environmental impact of antibiotic contamination and its link to antimicrobial resistance using Tetracycline as a representative contaminant.
  • Describe the principles of photocatalysis and the role of Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in advanced oxidation processes for water treatment.
  • Evaluate the limitations of conventional TiO₂ photocatalysts and discuss strategies to enhance their activity.
  • Compare the role of porous supports such as Zeolites and Metal–organic frameworks in improving photocatalytic performance.
  • Assess how material modifications such as iron sensitisation can extend photocatalytic activity into the visible-light range and improve pollutant degradation efficiency.
  • Relate photocatalyst design strategies to practical applications in environmental remediation and sustainable water treatment.

Additional Resources

Created by

Dr. Ghadeer Jalloul

Dr. Ghadeer Jalloul is a chemical and petrochemical engineer with a masters and PhD in chemical engineering,  Her research focuses on environmental remediation, advanced materials, and catalytic processes for water purification, including the removal of emerging contaminants such as antibiotics using adsorption and photocatalysis. She has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications in the fields of chemical and environmental engineering, particularly on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), photocatalysts, and sustainable water treatment technologies. Her work aims to develop efficient materials and processes to address pressing environmental and water quality challenges.
Research Assistant

Aya Hachem

Aya Hachem holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry and is involved in research related to environmental and materials chemistry. Her work focuses on water treatment and pollutant removal using advanced materials and adsorption or catalytic processes. She has been working as a research assistant in AUB since 2023, contributing to studies on sustainable approaches for environmental remediation.

Main Advisor

Dr. Mohammad Ahmad

Dr. Mohammad Najib Ahmad is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the American University of Beirut with more than three decades of academic experience. He began his academic career at Queen’s University Belfast in 1989, where he progressed from teaching assistant to Associate Professor while teaching core chemical engineering courses and supervising numerous graduate students. Since joining AUB in 2012, he has played a key role in establishing and developing the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering programs, including designing curricula and building research capacity. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, biofuels, reaction kinetics, and absorption processes, with more than 100 publications in high-impact journals.