Synthesis and characterization of a semiconducting CeO2 – SnO2 hybrid via a greener novel solid-state chemistry route and its performance in the degradation of paracetamol in water
Lucas Hansen, Ubiratan Hack, Diego Umberto Rizzana, Marco Antônio Rodrigues Siqueira, Daniel E. Weibel
Abstract
Semiconducting metal oxides are attractive photocatalysts for the degradation of emerging contaminants such as paracetamol (PCT), a ubiquitous pharmaceutical pollutant in aquatic environments. Here, a CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid was synthesized via a novel, waste-free solid-state route, achieving an environmentally efficient process with an E-factor of 0.73. Comprehensive characterization by XRD, XPS, EDS, and UV–VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a crystalline hybrid with visible-light absorption and distinct electronic properties. Multivariate analysis of the XRD data (PCA, HCA, SOM) demonstrated that the hybrid possesses a unique structural fingerprint and forms a genuine solid solution, as evidenced by SOM-derived topological distances and altered lattice parameters. Photocatalytic evaluation revealed that the hybrid significantly outperformed pure CeO₂, SnO₂, their physical mixtures, precursor salts, and TiO₂ in PCT degradation under UV–VIS irradiation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid being applied to the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol in water . These results establish the CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid as a functionally advanced material with enhanced photocatalytic activity, offering promise for efficient water treatment and broader applications, such as in environmental remediation and solar-driven catalysis.