Mechanism and kinetic model for the decolorization of the azo dye Reactive Black 5 by hydrogen peroxide and UV radiation

A kinetic model for the decolorization of C.I. Reactive Black 5 by the combination of hydrogen peroxide and UV radiation was developed based on experimental results and known chemical and photochemical reactions. The observed kinetic reaction coefficient was determined and correlated as a function of hydrogen peroxide concentration and UV intensity. The validity of the rate expression was tested experimentally in a parameterization study. The decolorization rate follows pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to dye concentration. The rate increases linearly with UV intensity and nonlinearly with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration, going from a linear relationship at low H2O2 concentrations to a maximum as hydrogen peroxide concentration continues to increase. The decolorization rate expression derived from the proposed reaction mechanism was reconciled with that used for correlating the experimental data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.