Laser-induced removal of a dye C.I. Acid Red 87 using n-type WO3 semiconductor catalyst.
Water contamination by organic substances such as dyes is of great concern worldwide due to their utilization in many industrial processes and environmental concerns. To cater the needs for waste water treatment polluted with organic dyes, laser-induced photocatalytic process was investigated for removal of a dye derivative namely Acid Red 87 using n-type WO3 semiconductor catalyst. The degradation was investigated in aqueous suspensions of tungsten oxide under different experimental conditions using laser instead of conventional UV lamp as an irradiation source. The degradation process was monitored by measuring the change in dye concentration as a function of laser irradiation time by employing UV spectroscopic analysis. The degradation of dye was studied by varying different parameters such as laser energy, reaction pH, substrate concentration, catalyst concentration, and in the presence of electron acceptors such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and potassium bromate (KBrO3). The degradation rates were found to be strongly dependent on all the above-mentioned parameters. Our experimental results revealed that the dye degradation process was very fast (within few minutes) under laser irradiation as compared to conventional setups using broad spectral lamps (hours or days) and this laser-induced photocatalytic degradation method could be an effective means to eliminate the pollutants present in liquid phase. The experience gained through this study could be beneficial for treatment of waste water contaminated with organic dyes and other organic pollutants.
Qamar
M
M
Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KFUPM Box 741, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
Gondal
M A
MA
Hayat
K
K
Yamani
Z H
ZH
Al-Hooshani
K
K
D002384:Catalysis; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004583:Electrons; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007834:Lasers; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry; D010782:Photolysis; D012666:Semiconductors; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013535:Suspensions; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004396:Coloring Agents; D005452:Fluoresceins; D010087:Oxides; D013535:Suspensions; C511604:tungsten oxide; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D014414:Tungsten