Highly efficient solar light-assisted TiO2 nanocrystalline for photodegradation of ibuprofen drug

Pure anatase, pure brookite, and anatase/brookite heterojunction (ABH) TiO₂ with tunable anatase/brookite ratios were prepared via a facile hydrothermal process using Titanium (III) sulfate, as precursor and different glycine/NaOH ratios, as pH adjusting reagents. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, Raman, FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, EDX, BET surface area, UV-vis-DRS, XPS, and PL. The photocatalytic performance of as-synthesized catalysts was evaluated by photodegradation of ibuprofen under simulated solar light. The photodegradation rate of A/B heterojunction TiO₂ photocatalysts was greater 12.5, 8.5 and 1.6 times than that the pure brookite, pure anatase, and the commercial P-25, respectively. The complete ibuprofen mineralization (100%) was performed under simulated solar light within 5 h using the photocatalyst obtained at pH 10 (i.e. 1:3 glycine/NaOH volume ratio), however, the commercial P-25 is 75%. The optimum sample containing 61.8%A/38.2%B exhibits the best photocatalytic activity due to it has a mesoporous structure, high surface area, and the low PL intensity.