This study aims to synthesize hexagonal Ag0

nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with TiO2-

modified graphene oxide in a greener

template method to obtain a novel Ag0/

TiO2/GO heterojunction nanocomposite thin film photocatalyst. The synthesized

nanocomposites were characterized with SEM/TEM, DRS, AFM, BET, Raman, and XPS analytical tools. The material was

further utilized for the effective treatment of Ibuprofen (IBP) and Tetracycline (TC) under visible light illumination. The

synergistic effect between graphene oxide and metallic silver nanoparticles in the composite demonstrates a higher removal

efficiency of IBP and TC under visible light illumination by reducing the electron (e⁻) and hole (

h+) pairs recombination and

electron capture. The real applicability of the materials was further explored in the elimination of IBP/TC under the influence

of solution pH, initial pharmaceutical concentration, and various co-existing cations/anions. The degradation of IBP

is favorable at pH 4, while maximum TC removal is observed at pH 10. The hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and holes (

h+) are the

major active radicals involved in the degradation pathway. The reusability test involving simple washing showed the stability

of the nanocomposite thin film for prolonged treatment, which further reduces the overall treatment cost. A comparable

elimination efficiency of IBP and TC with distilled water and river water further demonstrated the photocatalyst’s potential

application for treating pharmaceutical-polluted wastewater on a large scale.