Introduction:
The contamination of water bodies by pharmaceutical pollutants, such as tetracycline, poses a significant environmental threat. Traditional water treatment methods often fall short in effectively removing these pollutants. This study investigates the synthesis of a novel Ceₓ-Mn-Tiᵧ@illite catalyst, designed for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solutions.

Methods:
The catalyst was synthesized by impregnating illite, a natural clay, with varying concentrations of cerium (Ce), manganese (Mn), and titanium (Ti) ions. The synthesis process was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to confirm the structural properties of the catalyst. Photocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out under UV light irradiation to evaluate the efficiency of tetracycline removal, with reaction parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage, and irradiation time varied to optimize performance.

Results:
The Ceₓ-Mn-Tiᵧ@illite catalyst showed significant photocatalytic activity, achieving a high degradation rate of tetracycline under optimal conditions. The catalyst demonstrated excellent stability and reusability over multiple cycles, maintaining its efficiency in pollutant removal. The reaction kinetics were analyzed, revealing that the degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The catalyst's efficiency was further enhanced by the synergistic effect of the metal dopants, which facilitated charge separation and improved photocatalytic performance.

Conclusions:
The Ceₓ-Mn-Tiᵧ@illite catalyst represents an effective and sustainable material for the removal of tetracycline from aqueous solutions. This study highlights the potential of clay-based catalysts in photocatalytic applications for environmental remediation. The results contribute to the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly materials for water treatment technologies, particularly for pharmaceutical pollutant degradation.