The photocatalytic study of RR2 dye by using pre-irradiated Immobilized TiO₂/PVA system

Abstract

The investigation of the effect of PVA/TiO₂ loading by layers, and pre – irradiation time are studied for the system optimization and pH and temperature of the dye are being studied to see the photocatalytic activities on those parameters. It was found that degradation of dye by having the system pre – irradiated for 5 hours are the optimum and the rate goes up until it reaches the 5 hours of pre – irradiation. Dye at pH 3 have highest degradation as they change the surface charge of TiO₂ to a negative and that attracts dye particle towards it. The best temperature to do photocatalytic activity is found to be at 30 °C where the rate reduces as temperature increasing. The pre – irradiation effect gives a positive morphology structure of PVA/TiO₂ composite in SEM micrograph. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) indicates the presence of TiO2 in PVA macromolecules and there are chemical bonding between them.