Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of an anthraquinone dye Vat Yellow 4 in aqueous solution with TiO₂-P25 (Degussa) as photocatalyst in slurry form has been investigated under solar irradiation and UV irradiation. The study on the effect of various photocatalysts on the degradation reveals that TiO₂ is the best catalyst in comparison to other commercial photocatalysts. The effect of operational parameters such as catalyst loading and  initial dye concentration on the decolourisation and degradation under UV irradiation in TiO₂ suspension has been investigated to find out the optimum conditions. The decolourisation and degradation kinetics was found to follow first-order kinetics.  A study on the effect of electron acceptors on photo oxidation reveals that both decolourisation and degradation increase in the presence of the electron acceptors such as H₂O₂, (NH₄)₂S₂O₈  and KBrO₃ up to an optimum dosage beyond which the enhancement effect is negligible. The effect of the presence of inorganic additives on the degradation was studied and it was found to decrease the degradation.

Key words: Photocatalytic degradation, UV, TiO₂, Vat yellow 4.

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