Titanium dioxide nanoparticles for cleaning aqueous matrices

Abstract

This work presents the potential use of semiconductors nanoparticles as titanium dioxide (TiO2) for cleaning aqueous matrices, contaminated with organic dyes. Photoactivated nanoparticles at two concentrations (25 ppm and 50 ppm) were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation (302 nm) and, agitation at 20 rpm. The degradation of MB was monitored using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 665 nm. About 97.4 % degradation in 90 minutes was observed when MB was contacted with 25 ppm of TiO2. Similar results (97.8 % of degradation) were achieved after 60 minutes of contact with 50 ppm of TiO2.