Au-nanoparticle/nanopillars TiO2 meso-porous thin films in the degradation of tetracycline using UV-A light

Novel mesoporous Nanostructured Au/TiO2 thin films was obtained by template synthesis and employed in the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using UV-A lights [Display omitted] •Template synthesis used to obtain novel mesoporous Au(NPs)/nanopillars TiO2 thin films.•Thin films are utilized for efficient degradation of tetracycline using UV-A radiations.•Thin films were found stable for repeated operations.•A plausible mechanism was proposed. Novel meso-porous nanoparticles Au/TiO2 thin films were obtained by template synthesis using polyethylene glycol as filler medium. The materials were characterized by advanced analytical methods. The photocatalysts were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline from aqueous solutions using UV-A light (λmax 330nm). Various physico-chemical parametric studies enabled to deduce the mechanism of degradation. A significant percentage of tetracycline was mineralized by the treatment. The stability of thin film was evidenced with the repeated use of thin film. The degradation of tetracycline was proceeded predominantly by the OH radicals generated at the valance and conduction band of semiconductor.