Photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine in aqueous solution by TiO2-coated non-woven fibres

The photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine has been investigated in aqueous solutions using TiO2 coated non-woven fibres as photocatalyst. The experiments were carried out to investigate the factors influencing the photocatalytic degradation, such as the previous adsorption in the dark, initial concentration of dye solution, temperature, and pH. The experimental results show that adsorption is an important parameter controlling the apparent kinetic constant of the degradation. The photocatalytic degradation rate was favoured by a high concentration of solution in respect to Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The degradation rate was pH and temperature dependent with a high degradation rate at high temperature. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.