Photocatalytic degradation of reactive black-5 dye using TiO2-impregnated activated carbon.

The photocatalytic degradation of reactive black-5 (RB-5) dye was studied using hydrothermally prepared TiO2 impregnated on activated carbon (AC) (20%, 40% TiO2:AC). Photodegradation efficiency of the prepared TiO2:AC catalysts were studied and compared with the commercial TiO2 (P25). These catalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning election microscope techniques. The experimental results showed that the effect of TiO2 impregnation on AC helped to optimize the amount of TiO2 impregnated and the amount of catalyst used for the reaction. The effect of different parameters, such as the initial concentration of dye solution and the catalyst amount, on the rate of photodegradation was also studied. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (88%) proves the mineralization of the RB-5 dye along with the colour removal.