A SURVEY UPON THE PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF A SPECIFIC DYE WITH PRESENCE OF ZrO(2) PHOTOCATALYST

In This research, the photocatalytic degradation of common textile dye, reactive yellow 17 by photocatalysis over ZrO(2) photocatalyst coated on the glass plates (reactor) using cement as a binder was examined. 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 H(2) O(2) , K(2) S(2) O8 , Na(2) CO(3) or NaCl, on the degradation efficiency of the dye in the presence of cement binder was systematically studied. Both Na(2) CO(3) and NaCl were hindering the rate of photocatalytic degradation. Whereas, increase the initial concentrations of both H(2)O(2) and K(2)S(2)O(8) , 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 research, degradation of textile dye reactive yellow 17 with ZrO(2) 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.

Keywords:

photocatalyst , photocatalysis , textile , dye , environmental contaminants