International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 35 Studies on Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dye Acid Red-18 (PONCEAU 4R) using Methylene Blue Immobilized Resin Dowex-11Meena R.C., Verma Himakshi and Disha Photochemistry lab, Department of chemistry, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan-342001, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 11th November 2013, revised 21st November 2013, accepted 19th December 2013 AbstractDowex-11 an anion exchanger resin immobilized in Methylene Blue is an efficient catalyst for the activation of O at room temperature degrades dye in presence of visible light irradiation. The effect of various experimental parameters such as dye loading, catalyst loading, pH and light intensity were investigated during the process. This photo catalyst degrades 99% of the dye Acid red -18 into non toxic and biodegradable simpler molecules by degrading azo bonds in 160 minutes at pH 7.5, temperature 303K and the system follow first order kinetics, the value of rate constant k is 2.3310-2min-1 Keywords: Photocatalyst, Photocatalysis, Dowex-11, Acidred-18, Degradation. IntroductionTextile processing is one of the most important industries in the world employing various organic chemicals (dyes) depending on the nature of raw material and products that makes the environment challenge for textile industry not only as liquid waste but also in its chemical composition. These chemicals are different types of enzymes, detergents, dyes, sodas, salts and acid2, 3. The discharge of wastewater that contains high concentration of organic contaminants is a well-known problem associated with dyestuff activities4-7. The presence of these compounds in industrial wastewater and the discharge of textile wastewater, force us to look for alternative process to achieve it effective elimination of the contaminated water. Early studies show that many of organic contaminant is degraded in the presence of oxygen and TiO8-11 and also used for removing color from the dye effluents12-21. The heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation process has been applied to decompose dirty, hazardous, bad smelling or toxic materials produced in daily life and the global environment22,23. Methylene blue immobilized resin (MBIR) Dowex-11 is a heterogeneous photo catalyst, which has capacity to exchange their one anion with dye solution anion, and activated oxygen of solution in presence of visible light 24. This activated oxygen and photo catalytic action of this dye degrades azo bonds of dyes and complex organic molecules in simpler molecules25. MBIR Dowex-11 is a semiconductor catalyst26. There are some studies related to the use of semiconductor in the photo degradation of photo stable dyes27, 28. Photocatalytic reaction at the surface of semiconductor particles to organic synthesis is recognized as one of the most important and attractive target in field of chemistry. Dowex -11 involved in oxidation-reduction process is excited by ultra violet light energy. UV light energy activates the catalyst surface by exciting an electron from the valence band (V.B.) to the conduction band (C.B.), leaving behind an electron hole29. An electron scavenger is needed to prevent recombination of excited electron back to the valence band in a mechanism called electron hole recombination. The electron hole reacts with hydroxide ion (OH) or water molecules to create hydroxyl radicals (OH). Hydroxyl radicals attack is assumed to be the primary mechanism for photo oxidation suggested by Turchi and Ollis30. Holes are likely to react with OH because it is readily absorbed to the catalyst surface. Semiconductor + hv ecb + hvb + e O.- O + hvb OH + H+ Dye + OH Degradation products Material and Methods Reagent and Chemicals: Dye - acid red -18(PONCEAU 4R) (figure-1), Molecular formula-Na10N=NC102 Na, Molecular weight-604.47 g/mol, Appearance -amorphous red colored powder, Solubility in water-soluble in water, max- 506nm, Class -azo dye, Category-acid dye. Photocatalyst: Methylene Blue immobilized resin Dowex-11 (MBIRD) is used as photocatalyst. Dowex -11: size of resin-20-50 mesh. Property - anion exchanger. Immobilization of strong ion exchanger resin has been done by preparing M/1000 concentrated solution of methylene blue (photosensitized dye) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 36 in doubly distill water and Dowex -11 resin has been added to the solution and this mixture was placed in dark for 3 days for complete immobilization of methylene blue inside the pores of resin. After 3days in dark, Methylene blue immobilized resin was filter and washed twice with doubly distill water and used as photo catalyst. Figure-1 Structure of dye Other: The water used in all the studies is double distilled. The other chemicals employed in this study such as oxalic acid, sodium hydroxide, phenolphthalein, sulphuric acid. Procedure: All the solutions were prepared in double distilled water by direct weighing and kept in dark colored bottles. The photocatalytic degradation reactions were carried out in glass reactor containing a model solution and a defined amount of a photo catalyst. The solution in the reactor was continuously magnetically stirred during the experiment. After 15 minutes in dark, the reactor solution was illuminated with a 200W mercury lamp. The lamp was positioned above the reactor (figure-2). Results and Discussion The photocatalytic degradation of dye molecule was effected by catalyst, initial dye concentration, pH and light intensity. Effect of variation in optical density with time: Photocatalytic degradation of dye molecule was reported by measuring the rate of decreasing optical density of solution with fixed time (table-1). Figure-2 Experimental Set-up of Photochemical Reaction Chamber International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 37 Table-1 Variation of Optical Density with time Time (min) Optical Density % of Photo degradation 0 1.369 0 10 0.981 23.39 20 0.823 36.55 30 0.658 49.47 40 0.522 59.30 50 0.403 67.26 60 0.312 74.16 70 0.244 81.07 80 0.199 86.19 90 0.173 89.27 100 0.155 90.98 110 0.128 91.79 120 0.101 92.85 130 0.091 94.39 140 0.070 95.93 150 0.063 97.40 160 0.058 98.86 Catalyst loading = 2.0 gm/L, Light intensity = 10.4 mW cm-2, Solution volume = 50.0 ml, Temp. = 303K, Dye concentration = 40.0 mg/L, pH= 7.5Effect of variation in light intensity: The degradation rate of dye molecules increases with increase in light intensity because more number of photon generated, required for electron transfer from valence band to conduction band of photo catalyst. The light intensity is simply altered by varying power of mercury lamp (5.2mW cm-2 to15.6mW cm-2) (table-2 and figure-3). Table-2 Effect of variation in Light intensity Time (min.) Optical density Light intensity in mWcm - 2 5.2 10.4 15.6 0 1.366 1.369 1.368 10 1.048 0.981 0.978 20 0.878 0.823 0.721 30 0.733 0.658 0.545 40 0.600 0.522 0.432 50 0.503 0.403 0.346 60 0.438 0.312 0.289 70 0.401 0.244 0.221 80 0.363 0.199 0.175 90 0.320 0.173 0.140 100 0.290 0.155 0.129 110 0.255 0.128 0.115 120 0.229 0.101 0.093 130 0.191 0.091 0.078 140 0.185 0.070 0.065 150 0.173 0.063 0.041 160 0.160 0.048 0.029 Dye concentration = 40 mg/L, pH = 7.5, Solution volume = 50ml, Temp = 303K, Catalyst loading = 2.0 g/L Effect of variation in dye concentration: When the amount of dye increase in the solution it became more intense colored and the path length of the photons entering in the solution decreased, thereby only fewer photons reached to catalyst surface and therefore the production of hydroxyl radicals and super oxide radicals was limited. So rate of degradation was also decreased (table-3 and figure-4). Table-3 Effect of Variation in dye concentration Time (min.) Optical density Dye concentration in mg/L 10 25 40 55 70 0 0.389 0.899 1.369 1.665 1.899 10 0.301 0.733 0.981 1.358 1.444 20 0.244 0.605 0.823 1.031 1.201 30 0.201 0.500 0.658 0.832 1.011 40 0.166 0.422 0.522 0.721 0.878 50 0.132 0.333 0.403 0.612 0.771 60 0.111 0.270 0.312 0.525 0.688 70 0.096 0.220 0.244 0.456 0.611 80 0.080 0.183 0.199 0.401 0.565 90 0.073 0.140 0.173 0.338 0.522 100 0.061 0.099 0.155 0.305 0.487 110 0.050 0.081 0.128 0.266 0.445 120 0.045 0.066 0.101 0.222 0.412 130 0.033 0.053 0.091 0.191 0.389 140 0.021 0.040 0.070 0.180 0.348 150 0.015 0.031 0.063 0.168 0.299 160 0.007 0.025 0.048 0.160 0.290 Catalyst loading = 2.0g/L, Light intensity = 10.4 m W cm-2, Solution volume = 50ml, Temp = 303K, pH = 7.5 Effect of variation in catalyst loading: The degradation rate increased with increase in catalyst concentration because of availability of more catalyst surface area for absorption of photons and interaction of molecules of reaction with catalyst result is that no. of holes and hydroxyl radicals and super oxide radicals were increased (table-4 and figure-5). Effect of variation in pH: The rate of degradation was very low in high acidic pH range when pH was lower than 3.5 rate of degradation was very less. But as pH increased rate of degradation also increased. When pH reached to basic range the rate of degradation increased fast, in pH range 7.5 to 9.0 rate of degradation was very good. On further increase in pH there was a decrease in photocatalytic degradation. So the rate of degradation in basic medium was higher than acidic medium International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 38 because more availability of hydroxyl ion at pH 7.5 which generate more OH. radicals (table-5 andfigure-6). Effect of different catalyst: The photo degradation of acid red 18 dye in different aqueous suspension containing methylene blue immobilized resin Dowex 11 and TiO as photo catalyst under optimum condition i.e. dye concentration is 40mg/L, catalyst loading 2gm, pH 7.5, solution volume 50ml and light intensity 10.4mW cm-2 respectively. Photocatalytic degradation increased linearly with both catalysts. Maximum degradation takes place when MBIR Dowex 11 is used as compared to TiO2 because slow combination of electron hole pair and large surface area of MBIR Dowex 11. Rate constant of MBIR Dowex 11 and TiO used is 0.0233 min and 0.008 min-1 respectively. The straight line shows that this reaction obeys first order kinetics. Table-4 Effect of variation in Catalyst loading Time (min.) Optical density Catalyst loading g/L 1g/L 1.5g/L 2g/L 2.5g/L 3g/L 0 1.365 1.370 1.369 1.368 1.366 10 0.967 0.998 0.981 0.966 0.953 20 0.760 0.825 0.823 0.780 0.743 30 0.648 0.688 0.658 0.650 0.611 40 0.541 0.551 0.522 0.532 0.487 50 0.455 0.430 0.403 0.434 0.400 60 0.400 0.352 0.312 0.340 0.303 70 0.356 0.280 0.244 0.266 0.223 80 0.307 0.222 0.199 0.211 0.178 90 0.289 0.193 0.173 0.180 0.153 100 0.263 0.180 0.155 0.165 0.111 110 0.225 0.175 0.128 0.143 0.082 120 0.198 0.167 0.101 0.126 0.065 130 0.180 0.152 0.091 0.098 0.048 140 0.165 0.143 0.070 0.081 0.033 150 0.151 0.130 0.063 0.062 0.028 160 0.148 0.125 0.048 0.040 0.016 Dye concentration = 40 mg/L, Light intensity = 10.4 mWcm-2, Solution volume = 50ml, Temp = 303K, pH = 7.5 Table-5 Effect of Variation in pH Time (min.) Optical density PH 3.5 7.5 11.5 0 1.365 1.369 1.367 10 1.180 0.981 1.061 20 0.933 0.823 0.853 30 0.755 0.658 0.651 40 0.605 0.522 0.532 50 0.500 0.403 0.420 60 0.445 0.312 0.325 70 0.412 0.244 0.260 80 0.368 0.199 0.211 90 0.326 0.173 0.190 100 0.293 0.155 0.171 110 0.261 0.128 0.162 120 0.245 0.101 0.153 130 0.228 0.091 0.135 140 0.199 0.070 0.128 150 0.188 0.063 0.111 160 0.175 0.048 0.109 Dye concentration =40 mg/L, Light intensity = 10.4 mWcm-2, Solution volume = 50ml, Temp = 303K, Catalyst loading = 2.0 g/L. Conclusion MBIR Dowex 11 used as solar photo catalyst gives very good result and successfully improves the degradation rate of dyes. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency increases with increase in catalyst and decreases with increase in dye concentration. It has been concluding that this process can be used as an efficient and environment friendly technique for effluent treatment of industrial wastewater containing azo dyes. Development of this technology is of importance in Indian Context as sunlight is in abundance. This technology has very good potential of organic molecule degradation from complex molecule into simpler molecules. Azo dyes, which polluted water large part of textile effluent, can transform into colorless and toxic compounds so this catalyst may applicable for industrial purpose for improvement in quality of wastewater of textile industries and many others. Acknowledgements The Head of the department is gratefully acknowledged for providing necessary facilities. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 39 Figure-3 Effect of variation in light intensity Figure-4 Effect of variation in dye concentration International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 40 Figure-5 Effect of variation in catalyst loading Figure-6 Effect of variation in pH International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(12), 35-41, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 41 References 1.Mukhlish M., Zobayer B., Huq M.M., F.K., Mazumder M.S.I., Khan Md. M.R. and Islam M.A., International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2(6), 49-53 (2013) 2.Thoker F.A., Manderia S. and Manderia K., I. Res. J. Environmen Sci., 1(2), 41-45 (2012)3.Mir T.A., Manderia S. and Manderia K., I. Res. 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