Radiation degradation of Congo Red in aqueous solution

Radiation-induced degradation of Congo Red (an azo dye) in aqueous solution was studied both with steady-state radiolysis and time-resolve techniques of pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis. Decomposition and mineralization of Congo Red by gamma-rays was investigated with the changes of absorption spectra, degradation efficiency, TOC removal and pH changes of the solutions in different irradiation systems. The main radiolytic products resulting from steady-state radiolysis of Congo Red were examined by HPLC and LC-MS. Complete degradation of Congo Red was observed at different absorbed doses under diverse irradiation condition. The TOC removal of the solutions saturated with O2 or N2O reached 76% and 86% at the absorbed dose of 11.9 kGy, respectively. Pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis experiments were carried out to study the reaction of Congo Red with e(aq)- and ()OH. The reaction rate constants were determined.