UV, UV/H2O2, UV/SnO2/H2O2, UV/TiO2/H2O2, and UV/ZnO/H2O2 Efficiency for the Degradation of Reactive Blue 194: By-Product Distribution Evaluation

Abstract The photocatalytic degradation of reactive blue 194 was evaluated by UV alone, UV/H2O2, UV/SnO2/H2O2, UV/TiO2/H2O2, and UV/ZnO/H2O2 processes. The process variables such as irradiation time (30-90 min), hydrogen peroxide dose (0.2-0.6 mL), amount of catalyst (0.3-0.9 g), dye concentration (50-150 ppm), and pH (3-9) were optimized to obtain maximum degradation. The 90% degradation was obtained at the optimum condition of dye concentration (50 ppm), H2O2 concentration (0.6 mL), and ZnO concentration (0.9 g) at pH 3 in 90 minutes of irradiation time. The results revealed that the % age degradation of RB-194 with UV, UV/H2O2, UV/SnO2/H2O2, and UV/TiO2/H2O2 was 55%, 81%, 85%, and 83% respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to monitor the radiolytic progress of reactive blue 194. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) technique was used to monitor degradation by-products. Overall, the findings suggest that the photocatalysis-based advanced oxidation process is a feasible alternative for removing RB-194 from effluents.