Heterogeneous photocatalysed decolorization of two selected dye derivatives neutral red and toluidine blue in aqueous suspensions

Abstract

The photocatalysed decolorization of two selected dye derivative neutral red ( 1 ) and toluidine blue ( 2 ) has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide under a variety of conditions. The decolorization was studied by monitoring the change in concentration of organic dyestuff employing UV spectroscopic analysis technique as a function of irradiation time. The decolorization was investigated using various parameters such as, different types of TiO 2 , reaction pH, catalyst concentration, concentration of organic dyestuffs, and in the presence of electron acceptors like hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and potassium bromate (KBrO 3 ) besides molecular oxygen with an aim to determine the optimal decolorization condition for the decomposition of compounds under investigation.