Synergistic Degradation of Eosin Y by Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis in UV Irradiated Solution Containing Hybrid BiOCl/TiO2 Particles

The present work focused on treatment of eosin (EO) by photocatalysis (PC) combined with electrocatalysis (EC) process. Bismuth oxychloride/titanium dioxide (BiOCl/TiO2) hybrid particles, which were used as new heterogeneous photocatalysts, were exploited in a reverse microemulsion approach and were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis diffuse spectra, BET, and SEM technologies. All degradation experiments were performed using a self-assemble experimental setup, in which PC and EC could be carried out simultaneously or individually. The results indicated that BiOCl/TiO2 showed enhanced photocatalytic performance under UV irradiation, and 50% BiOCl/TiO2 exhibited the best photoactivity due to its high degree of crystallization, the mesoporous structure and corresponding large special surface area, improved absorption ability in UV region, and the heterojunction formed between two coupling particles. The combined degradation process displayed synergistic effect on the degradation of EO owing to the generation of H2O2 at graphite cathode. The parameters such as, pH, reaction current, and initial concentration of EO were monitored in order to optimize the operating conditions. Pseudo-first-order kinetics was proposed and roughly fitted the combined degradation of EO. The combined system in this work suggested a new research idea for the degradation of dye wastewater.