Degradación fotocatalítica de ibuprofeno utilizando catalizador de TiO2/SiO2 preparados por el método sol-gel

Gabriela Pérez-Osorio; Claudia A. Pozos-Escamilla; Juana D. Santamaría-Juárez

doi:10.65093/aci.v16.n1.2025.24

Authors

Gabriela Pérez-Osorio Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0251-3443
Claudia A. Pozos-Escamilla Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7583-1423
Juana D. Santamaría-Juárez Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0935-5468

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65093/aci.v16.n1.2025.24

Keywords:

emerging contaminants, nanomaterials, solar light, advanced oxidation processes

Abstract

TiO₂/SiO₂ nanomaterial was employed as catalyst for degradation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen through a solar photocatalysis process. The catalyst was synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized using different techniques. EDS analysis confirmed a Ti:Si atomic ratio close to the theoretical 1:3, while XRD revealed the presence of anatase phase in TiO₂ and the amorphous structure of SiO₂. SEM micrographs showed the catalyst morphology, and N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis revealed type IV isotherms, typical of mesoporous materials. Photocatalytic tests under 8 hours of solar irradiation demonstrated 80–85% ibuprofen degradation. UV-Vis spectra evidenced a decrease in aromatic ring absorbance at 220 nm and an increase in carboxylic acid absorbance at 280 nm during 4 hours of solar irradiation in the first day, indicating the formation of intermediate byproducts, which were eliminated by the end of the photocatalytic process during 4 hours of the second day. Besides, the apparent velocity rate constant (k = 0.0295 min⁻¹) and the adsorption constant (kads = 0.0797 L/mg) confirmed the efficiency of the nanomaterial, enhanced by the strong interaction with the catalyst.

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