Photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye using TiO2 impregnated activated carbon

The photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye was studied using hydrothermially prepared TiO2 impregnated activated carbon (TiO2: AC). A comparison between the degradation of the indigo carmine dye using commercial TiO2 and TiO2: AC revealed the efficiency of the title compound. The degradation reaction was optimized with respect to the dye concentration and catalyst amount. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) revealed the mineralization of dye along with colour removal. The active compound like TiO2 was impregnated onto the activated carbon surface under mild hydrothermal conditions (< 250 degrees C, P similar to 40 bars). The impregnated activated carbon samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).