Urea assisted synthesis of TiO2–CeO2 composites for photocatalytic acetaminophen degradation via simplex-centroid mixture design

We studied the effect of urea on TiO2–CeO2 and paracetamol photodegradation. The contribution of TiO2, CeO2, and urea was analyzed by simplex-centroid mixture. Solid-state combustion at 500 °C was the method of synthesis. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Uv spectroscopy, and scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). According to the results, urea influences particle morphology. Bandgap decreases due to interactions with residual urea carbon. The surface area depended on the crystallinity of the samples. The value of the kinetic constant increased as a function of the amount of urea. The selectivity to CO2 was the roll of cerium oxide. [Display omitted] •Urea has a direct impact on morphology.•Band gap reduction is a product of species interaction.•The rate degradation of acetaminophen depends on two factors: urea and CeO2.•CO2 selectivity is favored by cerium oxide.•The response surface allowed to analyze the TiO2–CeO2-Urea system in deep.