Photocatalytic degradation of mono-and di-sulfonic acid dyes on iron and copper modified MCM-41 and Y Zeolites

ABSTRACT

The photocatalytic degradation of mono- and di-sulfonic acid dyes [Acid yellow 99] and [Acid Red 44] were investigated in an aqueous medium using iron and copper modified MCM-41 and Y zeolites. The substrate for each was chosen as a simple model for the study of reactions involving some complex commercial products used for the dyeing of textile fibers. The decrease in concentration of both acid dyes was followed spectrophotometrically. The results obtained revealed that the different investigated catalytic systems, in presence of H[2]O[2], as oxygen carrier material enhanced the photocatalytic degradation process. However, the catalytic activity of Cu-modified MCM-41 system was bigger than those measured for the other catalytic systems. It has been found that the degradation process depends mainly on the generated OH radicals from irradiated H[2]O[2], because the catalyst alone has no effect