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Optimized Solar-Simulated Photocatalysis of Congo Red Dye Using TiO2: Toward a Sustainable Water Treatment Approach
Davor Ljubas1, Ante Vučemilović2, Debora Briševac1
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 13, 2025
Summary
This study optimized titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysis for Congo red dye removal using UV-A light. Optimal conditions achieved efficient dye degradation, offering a sustainable wastewater treatment solution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Wastewater treatment faces challenges with persistent organic pollutants like Congo red dye.
- Photocatalysis using titanium dioxide (TiO2) presents a promising green alternative for dye degradation.
- Optimizing reaction parameters is crucial for efficient and cost-effective TiO2-based photocatalytic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and optimize the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red (CR) dye using titanium dioxide (TiO2) under UV-A radiation.
- To determine the ideal reaction conditions for maximizing CR dye removal efficiency.
- To evaluate the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the TiO2-assisted photocatalytic process for wastewater treatment.
Main Methods:
- A central composite design (CCD) was employed to systematically study the effects of key parameters.
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the experimental results and identify optimal conditions.
- Key factors investigated included TiO2 concentration, UV-A radiation intensity, CR dye concentration, and suspension depth.
Main Results:
- Optimal conditions were identified as 222.37 mg/L TiO2, 20 W/m² UV-A irradiation, 25 µmol/L CR dye concentration, and 29 mm suspension depth.
- Under optimal conditions, significant decolorization was observed, indicated by the lowest absorbance (0.367 at 498 nm).
- Effective dye degradation was confirmed by achieving a low total organic carbon value of 0.805 mg/L.
Conclusions:
- TiO2-assisted photocatalysis is a highly effective and environmentally friendly method for treating Congo red dye in wastewater.
- Utilizing natural solar radiation offers potential for reduced operational costs and enhanced process sustainability.
- Further research is needed to address challenges like photocatalyst recovery, aggregation, and performance in real wastewater matrices.
