This study presents a novel quaternary plasmonic photocatalyst, Ag/Ag-Sol-Gel(SG)-TiO2-rGO, designed for efficient removal of remdesivir (RDV), favipiravir (FAV), and diclofenac (DCF) as COVID-19 antiviral drugs from water samples. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the Ag/Ag-SG-TiO2-rGO nanocomposites, which were synthesized with different Ag to SG-TiO2-molar ratios. The photocatalyst, containing 30 % Ag plasmonic within its framework, exhibited the highest pollutant removal under visible light. This efficiency is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) generated by metallic Ag nanoparticles and the optimal energy alignment between the TiO2 conduction band and the rGO work function. Trapping experiments were used to identify the most active species. It was confirmed that O2− and OH were the main active species in the photocatalytic process. The degradation kinetics, following a pseudo-first-order model, was assessed using an optimized LC-MS/MS. An optimization of the photodegradation process was done using a central composite design, as well as a study of the effects of prolonged irradiation. This resulted in the total elimination of the target compounds at a dosage of 0.087 g, irradiation time of 80 min, and pH value of 8. The photodegradation efficiency of sewage treatment plant effluent and tap water was reduced by matrix components, particularly in highly contaminated samples. An additional confirmatory MTT assay revealed a very low viability difference for mouse fibroblast cells, L929, in untreated, treated (97 %) and control samples. This study sheds light on the photodegradation of anti-COVID-19 drugs and offers insights into their remediation in aquatic environments.
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