Photocatalytic Decolorization of Uranine Using UV/S2O8 and UV/H2O2 Processes from Aqueous Solutions: A Laboratory Study

Background and Objectives: The entry of textile mills’ wastewater into the environment causes severe disruption to aquatic environments. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the performance of processes of UV/ S2O8 and UV/H2O2 in removal of Uranine dye from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, in a batch reactor, the efficiency of UV/S2O8 and UV/H2O2 photocatalytic methods in removing the dyes of Uranine from aqueous solutions was investigated. In this study, a UV-C low pressure mercury lamp covered by quartz and 150 W was used inside a steel chamber with a high degree of reflection. The pH variables (3-5-7-9 and 11), the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (10-15-20-30 and 50 Mmol/l), the concentration of persulfate (0.1-0.5-1-1.5 and 2 Mmol/l) and primary dye concentrations (10-25-50-75 and 100 mg/l) were optimized. Results: The highest removal efficiency (100%) was attained by UV/S2O8 process under the optimized conditions as follows: pH 3, persulfate concentration 2 Mmol / L, Uranine concentration 10 mg/L and contact time of 5 min, but, by UV/H2O2 process the same amount of dye was removed in the optimal conditions of pH = 3, the hydrogen peroxide concentration 20 Mmol / L, Uranine concentration 10 mg/L and contact time of 2.5 min. Conclusion: According to the results, the methods used to remove the mentioned paint in the wastewater have a 100% efficiency. Also, the catalyst concentration and reaction time variables have a more effective role in the removal efficiency than the other parameters. Key words: Aqueous solution, Uranine, UV/S2O8, UV/H2O2 Funding: This research was funded by Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. Conflict of interest: None declared Ethical approval: This project was not registered.   How to cite this article: Rahmani A, Karimi F, Vanaei tabar M, Zolghadr nasab H, Ahmadi F. Photocatalytic Decolorization of Uranine Using UV/S2O8 and UV/H2O2 Processes from Aqueous Solutions: A Laboratory Study. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2019; 18 (6): 529-44. [Farsi]