Photocatalytic Decgradation of Methylene Blue Using Immobilized Copper-doped Titanium Dioxide
Author : Ferrer, John Paul Dominic Palma
Major Adviser : Gatdula, Kristel M.
Committee Members : Dizon, Lisa Stephanie H.; Sanchez, Denise Ester S.
Year : 2019
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
Dyes in wastewater pose environmental threats and health risks. They are manufactured to be resistant to biodegradation. In this study, photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was investigated using copper-doped Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) immobilized by cement in a stainless-steel reactor. Three factors were considered using a full two-level factorial design, namely: type of light (UV or visible), irradiation time, and copper loading. All three factors had significant positive effects on the degradation of dye with no significant interactions. UV light had higher degradation of methylene blue than visible light due to its higher energy per photon while increasing the irradiation time also increases the degradation. Higher degradation was also observed when the copper loading was increased because of more active sites available and reduced electron-hole recombination. Maximum degradation (42.67 %) on the methylene blue solution was observed when the light was UV, irradiation time was 90 minutes, and copper loading was 2.25 %. Minimum degradation (30.26 %) was observed when the light was visible, irradiation time was 30 minutes, and copper loading was 0.75 %. The study recommends optimization of copper loading and characterization of the catalyst for a deeper investigation of enhancement of photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-cement.
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