photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs using fe2o3-zno and fe2o3-zno/ag nanocomposites

Background: the pharmaceutical residues and their metabolites in water, even at low concentrations, is of concern due to their effects on the aquatic environment.objective: the current study aimed to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs from aqueous media using nanocomposites.material and methods: in this experimental study, the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs have been investigated using fe2o3-zno and fe2o3-zno/ag nanocomposites. xrd, fesem, eds, elemental mapping (e-mapping) and uv-visible analysis were used to characterize the nanocomposites.results: the photocatalytic performance efficiency of fe2o3-zno and fe2o3-zno/ag nanocomposites was 45% and 72%, respectively, for paracetamol in 180 min. however, the photocatalytic performance efficiency of fe2o3-zno and fe2o3-zno/ag nanocomposites for the degradation of cefixime trihydrate was 38% and 55%, respectively during 60 min. conclusion: fe2o3-zno and fe2o3-zno/ag nanocomposites demonstrated effective photocatalytic performance in the removal of paracetamol and cefixime trihydrate drugs.