Photocatalytic degradation of basic red 51 dye in artificial bathroom greywater using zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

The current work aims to optimise the photocatalytic degradation of Basic Red (BR51) in artificial bathroom greywater (ABGW) using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). A fixed volume (100 mL) of ABGW was exposed to direct sunlight irradiation for 5.5 h to investigate the degradation of BR51 in ABGW is due to photocatalytic degradation.The factors investigated included ZnO NPs (10–200 mg), pH (3–9) and BR51 concentration (1–10 ppm). In order to confirm the degradation of BR51 in ABGW, initial and final absorbance of BR51 in ABGW were recorded. Reusability of the ZnO NPs was evaluated for the degradation of BR51 in ABGW at optimum conditions. The results revealed that the maximum degradation (89.01%) of BR51 was recorded with 100 mg of ZnO NPs, pH 5 and 1 ppm of BR51. In conclusion, the ZnO NPs are able to degrade the BR51dye in ABGW effectively.