Decoloration and mineralization of reactive dyes using electron beam irradiation, Part I: Effect of the dye structure, concentration and absorbed dose (single, binary and ternary systems)

In this study, three different reactive dyes (C.I. Reactive Red 4, C.I. Reactive Blue 2 and C.I. Reactive Yellow 4) and their blend solutions were irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam. Effect of absorbed dose, dye structure and primary solution concentrations on the pH value changes, degree of decoloration and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of solutions were investigated. Results show that this method is effective in decomposition and decoloration of the dyes solutions. This method can be applied in mineralization of wastewater containing different dyes.

► We radiated different reactive dyes and their blend solutions with electron beam.
► We found that this technique is effective in decoloration of textile wastewaters.
► With lower doses complete decoloration of the wastewater solution was achieved.
► With increasing absorbed dose even intermediate compounds were eliminated.
► We report the effect of dose on the decoloration and degradation of dye solution.