Comparative photocatalytic degradation of two dyes on immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles: Effect of dye molecular structure and response surface approach

In this work, comparative photocatalytic degradation of an anionic dye (C.I. Acid Blue 92 (AB92)) and a cationic dye (C.I. Basic Blue 3 (BB3)) under UV light irradiation using supported TiO2 nanoparticles in a rectangular photoreactor was studied. The investigated TiO2 was Millennium PC-500 (crystallites mean size 8 nm and surface area of 320.76 m2/g) immobilized on glass plates. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to assess individual and interactive effects of the four main independent parameters (initial dye concentration, UV light intensity, flow rate and reaction time) on the decolorization efficiency. Central composite design was used for optimization of UV/TiO2 process. Predicted values of decolorization efficiency were found to be in good agreement with experimental values for AB92 and BB3 (R2 = 0.9435 and Adj-R2 = 0.8941, R2 = 0.9309 and Adj-R2 = 0.8704, respectively). Optimization results showed that maximum decolorization efficiency was achieved at the optimum conditions: initial dye concentration 10 mg/L, UV light intensity 47.2 W/m2, flow rate 100 mL/min and reaction time 200 min. Photocatalytic mineralization of the dyes was monitored by total organic carbon (TOC) decrease. The degradation pathway of AB92 was proposed based on the identified compounds by GC–Mass technique.

Comparative photocatalysis of two dyes with different molecular structures was studied. Central composite design was used for optimization. Degradation pathway was proposed based on the GC–Mass analysis.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (59 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Immobilization of TiO2 nanoparticles on the glass plates by sol–gel dip-coating method. ▶ Comparative photocatalytic degradation of an anionic and a cationic dye. ▶ Optimization of UV/TiO2 process by central composite design. ▶ Proposal of photodegradation pathway based on the GC–Mass analysis.