Enhanced Sunlight Assisted Photocatalyst Degradation of Cefixime using TiO2/RuO2/CuO Ternary Nanosystem

• Enhanced cefixime degradation under sunlight using ternary nanocomposites. • Optimization conditions for enhanced degradation are determined. • Using the TiO 2 /RuO 2 /CuO Complete degradation of cefixime was in 60 min. Herein we report the utilization of mesoporous TiO 2 /RuO 2 /CuO nanomaterial for the photocatalytic degradation of cefixime which acts as an effective tool for the protection of the environment from the accumulation of drugs and simultaneous production of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. From the comparative photocatalytic degradation studies conducted using catalysts mesoporous TiO 2 , mesoporous TiO 2 /RuO 2, and mesoporous TiO 2 /RuO 2 /CuO, the maximum degradation of cefixime was observed with mesoporous TiO 2 /RuO 2 /CuO photocatalyst. The effect of various parameters like mass of catalyst, irradiation time, the concentration of CuO, and presence of H 2 O 2 was studied. The present study demonstrates the excellent photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 /RuO 2 /CuO nanomaterial.