The photocatalytic activity and kinetics of the degradation of an anionic azo-dye in a UV irradiated porous titania foam

A porous organic–inorganic hybrid titania foam, prepared from a long chain organic surfactant, hexadecylamine (HDA) and a semiconductor powder was characterized by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques and photocatalytically evaluated for the solution phase decomposition of methyl orange under alkaline conditions. Kinetic data obtained indicate conformity with Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model at the initial stages of the degradation reaction. An attempt was made to study the effect of experimental parameters including catalyst loading and dye concentration on photocatalytic degradation of MO. Results indicate that the rate of reaction is governed by adsorption of azo-dye into the surface of the photocatalyst materials and suggests an optimum catalyst load and dye concentration for the degradation reaction. Light absorption and scattering within the substrate reaction zone and arising from differences in optical properties of catalyst material, made it impossible to interpret entire kinetic data on the basis of a simple Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics. However, kinetic data obtained at the initial stages of the reaction suggest conformity with first-order kinetics. The foam promises to be a versatile material in that it can be used for the treatment of low concentrations of pollutants of biological, organic and inorganic origins in water and air.