The potential of heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO2 immobilized in alginate beads was evaluated for the degradation of tartrazine yellow azo dye. The treatment was performed under the action of a high-pressure mercury vapor lamp of 125 W and the degradation performance was investigated with the absorbance supplied by a photocolorimeter. Alginate beads with TiO2 were prepared and the catalyst was quantified by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and specific area analysis (BET). The immobilization was performed as a very simple and reproductible technique. The bead diameter was approximately 1 mm and its surface presented a homogeneous dispersion of catalytic sites containing about 1-2% (w/w) of TiO2. The TiO2/alginate beads presented low density and can be easier separated than the TiO2 dispersed from the reacting medium, remaining available to be reused in another batch. The dye degradation reached 30% after 120 minutes of irradiation, for the following conditions: alcaline pH (pH=9.0), 3 g of TiO2/alginate beads and 20 mol L-1 dye concentration.
Keywords:
heterogeneous photocatalysis; calcium alginate; azo dye
