Enhanced Activity of Nano-TiO2 in Photoelectrocatalysis over Photocatalysis Process for the Degradation of Indanthrene BR Violet Dye in Presence of UV-Light

This paper reports results of an investigation of the removal of Indanthrene BR Violet (IBRV) dye in a photoelectrochemical oxidation reactor with semiconductor suspended in the aqueous solution. TiO2 nano powder is prepared by sol-gel method to improve catalytic efficiency. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated anatase crystalline form with particle size of 17.9 nm. Diffuse reflectance spectra showed that the band gap is 3.0 eV. The model compound chosen for the degradation study is Indanthrene BR Violet dye. The presence of a catalyst in the electric field can enhance the treatment efficiency. The reaction was studied at different applied potentials +2.0 V, +1.0 V, +0.1 V, +0.05 V, + 0.01 V. The study has shown that an optimum voltage is necessary for a particular degradation reaction. Finally these results are compared with the photocatalytic degradation.