TiO2/beads as a photocatalyst for the degradation of X3B azo dye.

The feasibility of photocatalytic degradation of X3B azo dye by TiO2/beads photocatalyst was studied. The effects of parameters such as the amount of TiO2/beads, airflow, as well as the concentrations of H2O2, Fe3+, Mg2+ and Na+ on the photocatalytic degradation of X3B azo dye were also studied. The results showed that 25 mg/dm3 X3B azo dye can be photocatalytically degraded completely by 30 min illumination with a 375W medium pressure mercury lamp. Adding a small amount of H2O2 or Fe3+, the efficiencies of photocatalytic degradation of X3B azo dye were increased rapidly. The mechanisms of the reaction and the role of the additives were also investigated. After 120 hours TiO2/beads showed no significant loss of the photocatalytic activity.