PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF NAPHTHOL GREEN B OVER FEWO4-CUS PARTICULATE SYSTEM

Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of naphthol green B (NGB) has been studied under visible light in the presence of FeWO4 – CuS composite as a photocatalyst. Ferric tungstate was prepared by hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of FeWO4 - CuS composite was evaluated for photodegradation of naphthol green B dye under visible light. As-prepared composite was characterized by techniques such as XRD, EDX and FESEM. The effect of various parameters was investigated on rate of degradation and optimum conditions were obtained as pH = 9.0, concentration of NGB = 1.9 × 10–4 M, amount of FeWO4 – CuS = 0.10 g and light intensity = 70.0 mWcm–2. It was observed that composite has the highest catalytic activity in basic medium. A tentative mechanism for the reaction has been proposed involving hydroxyl radical as an active oxidizing species.