Photocatalytic degradation of triazinic ring-containing azo dye (Reactive Red 198) by using immobilized TiO2 photoreactor: Bench scale study

The decolorization and degradation of triazinic ring-containing azo dye by using TiO2-immobilized photoreactor is reported. A simple and easy method was used for the immobilization of photocatalyst. Reactive Red 198 (RR 198) was used as model compound. Photocatalytic degradation processes were performed using a 5 L (bench scale) solution containing dye. Batch mode immersion type method was used for the treatment of dye solution. UV-vis, ion chromatography (IC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses were employed to evaluate the results of the photocatalytic degradation of RR 198. Dye solution was completely decolorized in relatively short time (35 min) after UV irradiation in combination with hydrogen peroxide. The results verified that all of the dye molecules were destructed. Kinetics analysis indicates that the dye photocatalytic decolorization rates followed first order model (R2 = 0.99). Ion chromatography analysis was used to investigate the formation and destruction of aliphatic carboxylic acids and formation of inorganic anions during the process. Formate and oxalate anions were detected as main aliphatic carboxylic intermediates, which were further oxidized slowly to CO2. UV/TiO2/H2O2 process proved to be capable of successful decolorization and degradation of the RR 198.