Photocatalytic Decolorization Kinetics and Mineralization of Reactive Black 5 Aqueous Solution by UV/TiO2 Nanoparticles

The photocatalytic decolorization and mineralization of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye in presence of TiO₂ Degussa P25 has been studied using artificial light radiation in a shallow pond slurry reactor. The equilibrium adsorption of dye, influence of pH (3–11), catalyst load (0.5–3.0 g/L), and dye concentration (20–100 mg/L) on decolorization kinetics were studied. The effect of area to volume ratio of photoreactor on decolorization kinetics has been also studied. Mineralization studies were performed at optimized conditions of pH (3) and catalyst load (1.5 g/L). The maximum adsorption (26.5 mg/g) of dye was found to occur at pH 3. The apparent pseudo first order decolorization rate constant (k_app) value followed the order pH 3 > pH 11 > pH 9 > pH 7. As compared to available literature reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) was minimal by the time there was complete decolorization. Initial reduction in TOC was followed by subsequent increasing trend till complete decolorization. Final decreasing trend in TOC was observed only after complete decolorization. Twelve hours of treatment under experimental conditions reduced TOC content by 70% only. Discussion of results suggest that photocatalytic treatment of colored effluent under low UV intensity, and low A/V ratio may result in completely decolorized effluent but still having high COD.