Exploiting stored TiO2 electrons for multi-electron reduction of an azo dye methyl orange in aqueous suspension

The mechanism of multi-electron reduction of methyl orange (MO) azo dye on TiO2 nanoparticles has been studied performing stopped flow technique. A multi-electron reduction of azo dye has been investigated. It was found that a multistep reduction of the dye takes place: the stored electrons reduce the conjugative system of the azo group resulting in the decolorization of the dye and leading to the formation of hydrazine derivative followed by further 2 electron transfer step leading to the cleavage of the N-N bond and the formation of aromatic amines. The FTIR analysis of the products confirms the proposed mechanism of the dye reduction. The kinetic parameters and of the multi-electrons reduction of the MO have been determined. The rate of MO reduction was found to be dependent on both the TiO2 electrons and the dye concentrations.