Photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 17 dye in aqueous solution in the presence of TiO2 with cement binder

Abstract

This study examined the photocatalytic degradation of common textile dye, reactive yellow 17 by photocatalysis over TiO2 (Degussa P25) photocatalyst coated on the glass plates (reactor) using cement as a binder. Sunlight was used as an energy source. The degradation efficiency was found to be the high at around neutral pH values. The influence of additives such as H2O2, K2S2O8, Na2CO3 or NaCl, on the degradation efficiency of the dye in the presence of cement binder was systematically studied. Both Na2CO3 and NaCl were hindering the rate of photocatalytic degradation. Whereas, increase the initial concentrations of both H2O2 and K2S2O8, increased the rate of degradation of the dye. UV‐vis spectrophotometer and chemical oxidation demand were used to study decolourisation and degradation of dye, respectively. From this study, degradation of textile dye reactive yellow 17 with TiO2 photocatalyst coated on the glass plate using cement as a binder employing solar energy may emerge as a cost‐effective method for textile dye wastewater of low concentration.