Decolorization of antraquinone dye Reactive Blue 181 solution by UV/H2O2 process

In this study, the decolorization of C.I. Reactive Blue 181 (RB181), anthraquinone dye, by UV/H2O2 processes was investigated. The effects of operating parameters, such as H2O2 dosage, pH value, dye concentration and temperature were examined. The optimum conditions were determined as [H2O2]=500mg/L, [RB181]=500mg/L and pH 3 for 20 min reaction time. The decolorization was achieved by the UV/H2O2 process because of the production of some oxidizing agents as a result of UV irradiation. The decolorization kinetic of RB181 followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic. Thermodynamic analysis showed negative values of Delta H indicating exothermic under natural conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.