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Optimization of photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B using Box–Behnken experimental design: Mineralization and mechanism
Author(s) -
Madjene Farid,
Assassi Mirvet,
Chokri Imene,
Enteghar Tanina,
Lebik Hafida
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.1002/wer.1360
Subject(s) - box–behnken design , rhodamine b , degradation (telecommunications) , biodegradation , mineralization (soil science) , photocatalysis , nuclear chemistry , rhodamine , chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , chromatography , response surface methodology , organic chemistry , catalysis , fluorescence , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , nitrogen , engineering
The aim of this work was to optimize the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) using a four‐factor Box–Behnken experimental design, and the study was carried out under artificial irradiation (24‐W UV lamp) using ZnO in suspension. The Box–Behnken model has been validated with an error less than 5%. A total (100%) RhB removal and COD abatement rates were reached under optimal conditions of treatment time, ZnO dose, and stirring speed at different concentrations of dye. The study of the effect of irradiation type (solar and UV lamp) on the degradation of RhB showed that solar irradiation gave a better rate of degradation with complete discoloration after 2 hr. The study of RhB degradation mechanism indicates that O 2 ∙ -were the main active species for the degradation of this pollutant. The comparison between the degradation of RhB alone and RhB prepared with varnish (as it is usually used in industry) revealed that degradation of RhB alone is faster comparing than that of RhB/varnish mixture. The results showed that the biodegradability was improved after a contact time of 60 min with a BOD 5 /COD ratio increasing from 0.23 to 0.90. Practitioner points Optimization of the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B using a four‐factor Box–Behnken experimental design. Investigation of dye mineralization. The degradation mechanism of rhodamine. Biodegradability assessment based on the BOD 5 /COD ratio.