Formic acid and hydrogen generation from the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 on visible light activated N-TiO2/CeO2/CuO composites

•N-TiO2 powders were obtained by Pechini´s method and impregnated with CeO2/CuO.•UV–Vis shows a redshift relate to improving light absorption of ternary composites.•Composites surface exhibited Ti mixed-valence relate to the presence of O vacancy.•N-TiO2/CuO presents the highest formic acid due to the ability of CO2 adsorption.•N-TiO2/CeO2/CuO shows the highest H2 production due to high Ti3+ sites presence.