OPTIMIZATION OF PHOTODEGRADATION CONDITIONS OF RHODAMINE B IN WATER WITH DYE-SENSITIZED TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Abstract

Rhodamine B (RhB) is widely employed in dyeing in textile, paper, paints and leather industry. The wastewater containing RhB dye can cause serious environmental and biological problems. Hence, the remediation of RhB treatment is necessary for the environment. In this study, the photodegradation of RhB in water under sunlight irradiation with dye-sensitized titanium dioxide (TiO2) is investigated. The influence of various conditions, such as TiO2 dosages, initial RhB concentration, temperature, pH, sunlight intensity and irradiation time on the photodegradation of RhB are also studied. About 96% of RhB is photodegraded within 20 min under the optimized conditions. Therefore, the photodegradation treatment for the wastewater including RhB under sunlight is very simple, easy and low cost technique.