Kinetics of photo-catalytic degradation of hazardous dye Tropaeoline 000 using UV/TiO2 in a UV reactor

The photocatalytic degradation of hazardous dye Tropaeoline 000 has been investigated over anatase TiO2 photocatalyst irradiated with a UV light. The effect of operational parameters i.e. dyes concentration, catalyst concentration, pH, temperature and electron acceptor hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the degradation rate of aqueous solution of dye has been examined. Results show that the employment of efficient photocatalyst and the selection of operational parameters may lead to complete decolorization and to substantial decrease of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the dye solution. The rate of decolorization was estimated from residual concentration spectrophotometrically. At the used experimental conditions the substrate photo oxidation rate follows first order kinetics.

Variation of the rate constant with different substrate concentrations.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► UV light and anatase TiO2 photocatalysts can be efficiently applied for the degradation of dyes.
► The degradation rate of dye followed the pseudo-first order kinetics.
► The reduction in COD of the effluent was observed.
► The method is versatile, economic, eco-friendly and efficient.