Electrochemically assisted photocatalytic degradation of reactive dyes

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the electrochemically assisted photocatalytic process in the degradation of C. I. Reactive Blue 19 on a Ti/Ru0,3Ti0,7O2 electrode. By using the quartz device and the Ti-supported noble metal oxide coating, decolorizations ratios higher than 95% and TOC reduction of about 52% were observed during a period of 120 min, Comparing this value with the sum of the decolorization ratios obtained by a single application of electrochemical and photochemical procedures, it is possible to observe a significant synergic effect between both processes. The electrochemical process was conduced at 28 degrees C (refrigeration with air) and pH of 11.0, and with a constant potential of 1.8 V versus Ag/AgCl. With these conditions, the mean current was 23 mA. The voltammetric results also confirm the synergic effect of the simultaneous process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.