Photocatalytic Degradation of Acid Orange, Toluidine Blue and Rosaniline Using H2O2 Sensitized Bi2MoO6 and Visible Light

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONConsiderable research over the past few decades proved the feasibility of using metal oxide semiconductors for photocatalytic oxidation of organic pollutants as a potential process to effect remediation of waste water discharges from industries relating to dyes, textiles, printing, paper, leather, pesticides, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Titanium(IV) dioxide has been the most widely studied photocatalyst because of its chemical inertness, photo-stability, low cost and large availability. However, because of its wide band gap (3.2 eV) photoabsorption of TiO2 is restricted only to UV region. Since solar radiation comprises of < 4 % UV, it is highly essential to develop new photocatalysts with intense visible light absorption because visible light is more abundant (up to 40 %) in solar radiation and the process becomes cost effective.