Photocatalytic Removal of Azo Dye and Anthraquinone DyeUsing TiO2Immobilised on Ceramic Tiles

P N Palanisamy,S K Kavitha

doi:10.1155/2011/704365

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity of TiO2immobilized on different supports; cement and ceramic tile, was studied to decolorize two commercial dyes. The catalyst was immobilised by two different techniques, namely, slurry method on ceramic tile and powder scattering on cement. The degradation of the dyes was carried out using UV and solar irradiation. The comparative efficiency of the catalyst immobilised on two different supports was determined. The photodegradation process was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The catalyst immobilised on ceramic tile was found to be better than the catalyst immobilised on cement. Experimental results showed that both illumination and the catalyst were necessary for the degradation of the dyes and UV irradiation is more efficient compared to solar irradiation.

Highlights

The photocatalytic degradation of coloured organic pollutants on semiconductor surfaces has been proved to be a better process for waste water treatment[1,2,3]
The comparative photodecolorisation of the dyes on TiO2 catalyst coated on ceramic tile and cement supports under UV and solar irradiation is given in Table.[1]
The results show that the catalyst supported on tile serves better for the degradation of the dyes under UV as well as solar irradiation

Summary

Introduction

The photocatalytic degradation of coloured organic pollutants on semiconductor surfaces has been proved to be a better process for waste water treatment[1,2,3]. Among the various semiconductors employed, TiO2 has been recognized as a good photocatalyst for the degradation of several organic contaminants[4,5]. From a practical point of view, the use of catalyst suspensions in slurry photo reactors may constitute a limitation because of filtration problems linked to the small size of the TiO2 particles that should be removed from the treated stream. Such separation processes are expensive in terms of time, reagents and manpower[6] and this fact remains as a great hurdle in the commercialization of the process. The aim of the present work is to investigate the performance of TiO2 supported on cement and ceramic tile for the degradation of two commercial dyes

Objectives

Results

Conclusion