Cerium and boron co-doping in TiO2 boosts diclofenac photodegradation

Photocatalysis utilizing titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts doped with metal/non-metal has shown great potential in degradation of recalcitrant pollutant like Diclofenac sodium (DCLF). DCLF is one of the most detected pharmaceuticals in water matrices. In this study, a straight-forward sol–gel method for synthesis of cerium (Ce)-doped and boron (B)–Ce co-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts has been used. By adjusting the ratio of Ce and B in TiO₂ in the prepared photocatalysts, the optimum dopants’ concentration was selected and the photocatalytic characteristics of the prepared materials were investigated. The prepared photocatalysts were thoroughly characterized using common physiochemical methods, such X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), physisorption (BET), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), in order to know more about the structure. Structure and elemental mapping analyses proved the presence of Ce and B in the TiO₂ containing anatase phase with a tetragonal structure. The optical properties using a UV–Vis DRS showed a reduction in the bandgap upon Ce/B co-doping. The photocatalytic results obtained showed that Ce–B-doped TiO₂ outperforms undoped TiO₂ and Ce-doped TiO₂.