Photocatalytic degradation of Milling Yellow dye using sol-gel synthesized CeO2

The photocatalytic degradation of Xylene Milling Yellow 6 Gin aqueous solutions under UV exposure was studied with sol-gel synthesized CeO2 catalyst. The effects of catalyst loading, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature were studied and the optimum values for maximum degradation were determined. Using a 125 W high pressure mercury lamp, an optimum degradation of 10 ppm dye solution was observed with 1 g/L catalyst. Initial dye concentration exhibited a significant negative effect on photocatalytic degradation. With 1 g/L catalyst, natural pH of the solution, ambient temperature, and initial dye concentration of 10 ppm, complete degradation was achieved within 30 min of UV exposure. The sol-gel synthesized catalyst showed better photocatalytic activity than combustion synthesized as well as commercial catalysts. A degradation mechanism was proposed based on the degradation,products identified by LC-MS. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.