Synthesis and characterization of a semiconducting CeO2 – SnO2 hybrid via a greener novel solid-state chemistry route and its performance in the degradation of paracetamol in water

Semiconducting metal oxides are attractive photocatalysts for the degradation of emerging contaminants such as paracetamol (PCT), a ubiquitous pharmaceutical pollutant in aquatic environments. Here, a CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid was synthesized via a novel, waste-free solid-state route, achieving an environmentally efficient process with an E-factor of 0.73. Comprehensive characterization by XRD, XPS, EDS, and UV–VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a crystalline hybrid with visible-light absorption and distinct electronic properties. Multivariate analysis of the XRD data (PCA, HCA, SOM) demonstrated that the hybrid possesses a unique structural fingerprint and forms a genuine solid solution, as evidenced by SOM-derived topological distances and altered lattice parameters. Photocatalytic evaluation revealed that the hybrid significantly outperformed pure CeO₂, SnO₂, their physical mixtures, precursor salts, and TiO₂ in PCT degradation under UV–VIS irradiation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid being applied to the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol in water . These results establish the CeO₂–SnO₂ hybrid as a functionally advanced material with enhanced photocatalytic activity, offering promise for efficient water treatment and broader applications, such as in environmental remediation and solar-driven catalysis.