Photo-degradation of some dyes using Ag-loaded titaniumdioxide

The photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes using TiO2 and silver-loaded TiO2 has been studied. The dyes which were chosen (methyl violet, a cationic dye; Cibacron Blue FMR, a reactive dye; and Maxilon Red GRL, a mono azo basic dye) represent the major structural families of organic dyes. Ag-loading dramatically reduced degradation time. While the undoped TiO2 degraded about 63% of the total amount of methyl violet within 4 min, degradation rose to 95% with Ag-loaded TiO2 within the same time period. The photo-decomposition of dyes was monitored as a function of pH and dissolved organic and inorganic matters.