A. Kumar, M. Paliwal, R. Ameta and S.C. Ameta*

Photochemistry and Solar Energy Laboratory, Department of Chemistry,
University College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

This study was conducted to assess the removal efficiency of fast green FCF (a dye) from aqueous medium using the photo-Fenton process. Fenton's reagent, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ferric ions (Fe³⁺), used to generate hydroxyl radicals (· OH), was used to attack the target contaminant and degrade it. A visible light source was used to provide the radiation needed in the photo-Fenton method (i.e. H₂O₂/Fe³⁺). The effects of varying the parameters of ferric ion, fast green FCF and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, as well as pH, and light intensity on the reaction rate were determined. More effective and faster than Fenton's reagent in removing fast green FCF, the results show that the photo-Fenton method completely oxidizes and degrades fast green FCF into CO₂ and H₂O. A tentative mechanism for photobleaching of the dye is proposed.

Photochemical degradation, Solar photo-Fenton, Fast green FCF, AOPs, Photobleaching

Keywords:

(Received 3 September 2007, Accepted 14 October 2007)