Photocatalysis degradation TNR in TiO2 suspension.

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of TNR in a circular photocatalytic reactor, using a UV lamp as a light source and TiO₂ as a photocatalyst, was investigated. The effects of various parameters such as the initial TNR concentration, and the initial pH on the TNR degradation rate of TiO₂ photocatalysis were examined. In the presence of both UV light illumination and TiO₂ catalyst, TNR was more effectively degraded than with either UV or TiO₂ alone. The reaction rate was found to obey pseudo first-order kinetics represented by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. In the mineralization study, TNR (30 mg/l) photocatalytic degradation resulted in an approximately 79% TOC decrease after 60 min, and were further degraded. NO₃^-, NO₂^-, and NH⁺₄ were detected as the nitrogen byproducts from photocatalysis and photolysis, and more than 50% of the total nitrogen was converted mainly to NO₃^-in the photocatalysis. However, NO₃^- did not adsorbed on the TiO₂ surface. TNR showed higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency at neutral and acide pH.