Microwave-photocatalyzed assisted degradation of brilliant green dye: A batch to continuous approach

The treatment of environmental persistence compounds is gaining importance due to its associated hazards and impact on the ecosystem. Advanced oxidation processes are considered as a most viable option for treatment of these compounds. Present work investigated the treatment of brilliant green dye using the effects associated with microwave, photocatalysis and sequential combination of microwave, and photocatalysis. Findings of work confirmed that the sequential effect of microwave followed photocatalysis had shown the maximum degradation of brilliant green dye. The maximum degradation obtained in the presence of zinc oxide as a catalyst was 94.3 ± 0.8% (TOC removal: 46.4 ± 0.18% and pseudo first order rate constant: 35.2 ± 0.26 min−1). A continuous approach developed based on the optimized results of sequential effects. The results of the continuous approach shown nearly same degradation as that of the batch reactor at a flowrate of 4.5 mL/min. The present work has shown the higher potential for degradation of brilliant green dye and process engineers for pilot scale development of this technology.