Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Ibuprofen under Visible Light Irradiation Using Silver and Cerium Co-Doped Mesoporous TiO2

Water contamination by pharmaceutical compounds has become one of the most serious problem for environment. The use of solar illumination as a renewable energy associated to nanomaterials is an alternative solution for disinfection of wastewater. Therefore, there is a great challenge in green chemistry research to synthesize robust and efficient catalysts for the degradation of organic pollutant under visible light. In this study, we describe new ways to decorated mesoporous TiO(2)with cerium (Ce) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Indeed, mesoporous TiO(2)was co-doped with Ag and Ce using two different methods: co-impregnation (Co-IMP) and co-deposition precipitation with urea (Co-DPU). The prepared catalysts were characterized using different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR/UV-vis) and N(2)adsorption/desorption. The effect of the preparation method has been evaluated in the photodegradation of ibuprofen (IBP) under visible light irradiation. The obtained results underlined the improvement of photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO(2)by metals under visible light. A mineralization of IBP up to 98 % was achieved after 4 h irradiation for the catalyst prepared by co-deposition precipitation with urea. Therefore, this catalyst could be suitable for the treatment of pharmaceuticals in aqueous media using solar light as the energy source.