Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by Mn,S co-doped TiO2 under visible-light irradiation

To mitigate the accumulation of toxic materials in the environment, the development of efficient photocatalysts offers a sustainable approach to solar energy-assisted environmental remediation. TiO₂-based photocatalysts are particularly attractive due to their favorable optical and electronic properties, low cost, and non-toxicity. In this study, Mn,S co-doped TiO₂ materials with varying doping ratios were synthesized using the sol–gel method and characterized via XRD, XPS, UV–vis DRS, SEM, and BET. Mn,S co-doping effectively reduced the band gap of TiO₂, enhancing light absorption. Specifically, the optimized 5%Mn-3%S-TiO₂ exhibited the smallest band gap of 2.28 eV. When applied to the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), it achieved a degradation rate of 67.03 % within 180 min, marking a 31.63 % improvement compared to undoped TiO₂. These results underscore the potential of Mn,S co-doping to enhance the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂, presenting a promising approach for environmental restoration through the efficient degradation of harmful pollutants.