Electro-assisted photocatalytic decolorization of Reactive Navy Blue SP-BR solution by ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on stainless steel anode

Abstract: In this study, the effect of electrical field on the photocatalytic (PC) decolorization efficiency of Reactive Navy Blue SP-BR solution using commercial ZnO nanoparticles was studied. The electrical field was applied through potential difference (∆V) between the anode and the cathode. ZnO nanoparticles were immobilized on a stainless steel or titanium anode by electrophoretic deposition method. It was found that the electrical field could increase the decolorization efficiency. Decolorization efficiency in the dye solution with the initial concentration of 15 mg L⁻¹ during 90 min was increased in electro-assisted photocatalytic (EAP) process up to 81% compared to 39% in simple PC process. Applying the potential difference of 4 V showed the highest efficiency in Reactive Navy Blue SP-BR decolorization by EAP process. The effect of working electrode material was studied by replacing the stainless steel with titanium while the other parameters were constant. EAP decolorization efficiency in the dye solution with the initial concentration of 15 mg L⁻¹ and titanium anode was 64%.