RETRACTED: Synthesis of novel Ag-doped S-MgO nanosphere as an efficient UVA/LED-activated photocatalyst for non-radical oxidation of diclofenac: Catalyst preparation and characterization and photocatalytic mechanistic evaluation

Ag-doped S-MgO powder was synthesized by doping of S-MgO with Ag and its photocatalytic activity was investigated under UVA-LED light irradiation for diclofenac (DCF) degradation. The S-MgO doped with 1 mol% of Ag showed the highest photocatalytic activity under UVA irradiation. The Ag-doped S-MgO was nanosphere with a band gap of 2.20 eV and the surface defects. Introducing Ag in the lattice of S-MgO accelerated the charge transfer and thus its photocatalytic activity. Complete degradation of 50 mg/L DCF was achieved via non-radical singlet oxygen mechanism within 15 min in the UVA/LED photocatalytic process with Ag-doped S-MgO in natural pH. In addition, 86% of DCF was mineralized within 60 min in the process. Reusability of the catalyst was successfully carried out for five consecutive runs. Accordingly, the Ag-doped S-MgO nanosphere is an efficient and durable catalyst effectively activated using a relatively low dose of UVA radiation for the degradation and mineralization of emerging water contaminants.