Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.13.3.1
SOLAR LIGHT ASSISTED DEGRADATION OF RHODAMINE B DYE BY CHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES
Priya Chandulal Vithalani
; Gujarat Vidyapith, Department of Biogas Research and Microbiology, Gujarat, India
Nikhil Sumantray Bhatt
; Gujarat Vidyapith, Department of Biogas Research and Microbiology, Gujarat, India
Abstract
Utilization of dyes and dyestuff is increasing day by day, which affects environmental health and sustainability. Rhodamine B (RhB) is a synthetic xanthene class of dye that has a major application in cosmetic, painting, printing, and textile industries. The toxicity of RhB has been reported in animals, insects as well as humans in parts per billion (ppb) concentration. Exposure to this dye causes skin irritation, nervous system issues, and developmental changes. Therefore, the remediation of the dye is a crucial factor. The aim of this study was solar-assisted photocatalytic degradation of RhB. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out with chemical reduction method, and characterization with the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity was checked with 1000 mL wastewater in which 10 ppm dye was added. Optimization of physicochemical parameters was performed by one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method. Maximum 99.32 % decolourization was observed at 2 g/L catalyst concentration, pH = 6, and 10 ppm dye concentration in 50 min irradiation time at 0.19 mg/L/min rate of decolourization. The initial degradation was confirmed based on chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction; 89.25 % COD removal at a 0.17 mg/L/min rate was observed. The confirmation of degradation was carried out with UV-visible spectrophotometer and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis. AgNPs were the efficient catalyst for the degradation of RhB. The toxicity study proved that, after degradation of RhB with AgNPs, the degraded products were less toxic than the original ones.
Keywords
decolourization; optimisation; photocatalytic degradation; Rhodamine B (RhB); AgNPs; HPTLC; toxicity
Hrčak ID:
303711
URI
Publication date:
9.6.2023.
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