Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes in the Presence of Titanium Dioxide Under UV and Solar Light: Effect of Operational Parameters

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange have been studied in the presence of titanium dioxide powder illuminated with a 300-WUV lamp. The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the degradation process was also determined. It was found that the color removal efficiency was affected by the concentration of dye, amount of TiO<inf>2</inf> added, and the pH of the solution. The degradation of dyes obeys first-order kinetics, with the apparent first-order rate constant increasing with decreasing dye concentration. The rate constants were evaluated as a function of the concentration of dye, amount of TiO<inf>2</inf>, and pH. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.