Comparison Between TiO2 and ZnO Photocatalytic Efficiency for the Degradation of Tartrazine Contaminant in Water

AUTHOR(S):

D. Tassalit, S. Lebouachera, S. Dechir, N. Chekir, O. Benhabiles, F. Bentahar

TITLE

Comparison Between TiO2 and ZnO Photocatalytic Efficiency for the Degradation of Tartrazine Contaminant in Water

ABSTRACT

Wastewater containing dyes pollutants has gained more attention due to its mass discharge, high toxicity and low biodegradation. The degradation of synthetic dyes is difficult because of their complex aromatic structure. Therefore, efficient and cost-effective treatment processes of this pollutants family need to be developed. The use of a heterogeneous photocatalysis is an efficient method for water purification which includes reduction and oxidation reactions in the presence of oxygen molecules and hydroxyl anions. In photocatalysis, semiconductors are used generally in suspension. However, this method could be a more expensive when it is scaled-up because the photocatalyst particles recovery after treatment is a difficult task and leads to an amplification in process costs. An alternative method is to use the catalytic supported in different media without hampering its activity. The present study aims to develop a new photoreactor for the degradation of dyes pollutants in water. A fixed bed photocatalytic reactor incorporating ZnO or TiO2catalysts and UV from sun light radiation was used for the study of its performance in photocatalytic destruction of tartrazine contaminant. Results from this work provided essential information needed towards the construction and operation of a fixed bed photocatalytic reactor. Specifically, we have evaluated the improvement of photocatalytic activity of fixed bed catalysts for the total Tartrazine removal. It was found that the photocatalytic oxidation reaction follows the pseudo-first order model. The photodegradation ratio reach 98% after 200 min of solar radiation. Although the UV energy gives improved efficiency in degradation of dyes, solar irradiation could appear as a substitute cost effective light source because of its abundance and the fixed bed coating of photocatalyst may resolve the problems of leaching and separation.

KEYWORDS

Advanced oxidation technology, heterogeneous photocatalysis, emerging contaminants, tartrazine, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, fixed bed photoreactor

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Cite this paper

D. Tassalit, S. Lebouachera, S. Dechir, N. Chekir, O. Benhabiles, F. Bentahar. (2016) Comparison Between TiO2 and ZnO Photocatalytic Efficiency for the Degradation of Tartrazine Contaminant in Water. International Journal of Environmental Science, 1, 357-364