Synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic degradation on CAC–TiO2 composite generating excellent mineralization of alizarin cyanine green dye in aqueous solution

Abstract

The synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of alizarin cyanine green dye (ACG) in aqueous solution on porous Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC)–titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixture have been studied under UV irradiation. The CAC–TiO2 composite was prepared by simple chemical route and the as prepared composite was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The photodegradation rate constant (k) for ACG dye on CAC–TiO2 is (0.0666 min−1), which is very much higher than that of pure TiO2 0.00368 min−1. The photodegradation efficiency of the CAC–TiO2 composite was eighteen order magnitudes higher than that of pure TiO2 for ACG dye degradation. The total mineralization of ACG, through the combination of adsorption and degradation was achieved in a reasonable time, and can therefore be suggested as an efficient, cost-effective and environment friendly water treatment methodology.

Keywords

• Photocatalytic degradation
• ACG dye
• TiO2
• Commercial activated carbon
• Synergistic effect