Degradation of diclofenac via photocatalysis and radiocatalysis

Abstract

Diclofenac (DCF) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and has been detected in aquatic environments, posing ecological risks. In this study, DCF degradation in aqueous media via photocatalysis and radiocatalysis using cerium-doped titanium dioxide was investigated. Photocatalytic and radiocatalytic processes were evaluated using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Photocatalysis achieved up to 100% degradation within 4 hours, while radiocatalysis reached up to 29.5% of degradation under gamma irradiation. Then, the degradation kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model. Samples prepared via sol-gel with Ce content exhibited enhanced activity, confirming the potential of Ce-doped TiO2 in environmental remediation.