Photocatalytic destruction of an organic dye, Acid Red 73 in aqueous ZnO suspension using UV light energy

63-67Photocatalytic degradation of the azo dye Acid Red 73 (AR 73) in aqueous solution with zinc oxide as photocatalyst in slurry form has been investigated using UV light. There is a significant difference in adsorption of dye on ZnO surface with the change in solution pH. The effects of various parameters such as catalyst loading, pH and initial concentration of the dye on degradation have been determined. The degradation is strongly enhanced in the presence of electron acceptors such as H2O2, (NH4)2S2O8 and KBrO3. Addition of dye-assisting chemicals such as Na2CO3 and NaCl inhibits the removal rate. The photodegradation analysis has been carried out using Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model