Design and optimization of TiO2-based photocatalysts for efficient removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in water: Recent developments and challenges

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds as emerging organic pollutants in water bodies has raised considerable concern regarding their environmental impact and potential health risks. This study provides an in-depth review of recent advances in TiO2-based photocatalysts, including their advantages and disadvantages, and examines the mechanisms involved in drug degradation. Various strategies to improve the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 are extensively discussed and compared, including metals, non-metals, magnetic, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and plasma doping. The influences of several key factors such as visible and UV light intensity, dissolved oxygen, feed flow rate, concentrations of pollutants and catalysts, temperature, and pH on the efficiency of photocatalytic reactors are also studied. This review paper highlights the potential of TiO2-based photocatalysts as an advanced treatment technology for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds from water systems. Practical and theoretical perspectives and challenges for effective implementation of TiO2 photocatalysis are also discussed. The findings in this review contribute to further understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of TiO2 in the degradation of pharmaceutical products, and highlight the need for advanced processing technologies to reduce the environmental risks of pharmaceutical contaminants.