Photocatalytic

Degradation of
Dyes using TiO2
Engr 45.

Fall 2010
By:
Melody Golobic
Alexandra Majoulet
Carolina Aranda

Introduction
Objective:
To show that TiO2 with the help
of UV light is able to break down
organic compounds (waste
water).

Ti02
You will findTi02in
all kinds of paint,
Background
printing ink, plastics, paper, synthetic
fibers, rubber, condensers, painting colors
and crayons, ceramics, electronic
components along with food and
cosmetics.

Background
When the light hits the TiO2
molecule, an electron gets excited,
comes off and creates a free radical
with the oxygen in the water which
then destroys the congo red.

Our Experiment
Our experiment consisted on adding 0.0147g
of Congo Red dye to 550mL of dionized water
to simulate waste water. Then, we added
0.5558g of TiO2 and put the beaker with the
solution on a stirring plate. A 23W light bulb
and a second beaker was carefully placed
inside the solution to activate the TiO2. Every
20 minutes we took a sample of the solution
and centrifuged it three times to separate the
TiO2 from the rest of the solution. Next, we
measured the absorbance of light in logger
pro and watched the concentration of the dye
diminished over time.

Materials and
Instruments

Our Experiment

Logger Pro Data

Results

Samples over the course of 3

hours.

Results
A=
bC

TiO2 Degrading Methylene

Blue

Conclusion
From this experiment, we can conclude
that the TiO2 did in fact degrade over
time both of the dyes with the help of
UV light. Even though the blue dye
reacted differently with TiO2, we still
believe that if this experiment was
done over a longer period of time
that the concentration of the dyes
would have been zero.

Applications
Self Cleaning: Windows, mirrors, tiles and other
surfaces.

References
Karen Frindell, Chemistry Instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior
College
Photocatalysis Applications of Titanium Dioxide Ti02. 2003.
4th of December, 2010. <
http://www.titaniumart.com/photocatalysis-ti02.html>
Product, By. "Self-Cleaning Glass - China Self-cleaning Glass,
Building Glass, Curtain Wall Glass in Building Glass."Madein-China.com China Manufacturer Directory, China Products,
China Suppliers, China Trade, China Factory. Web. 06 Dec.
2010. <http://www.made-inchina.com/showroom/bjltglass/productdetailyqXxiIFACfro/China-Self-Cleaning-Glass.html>.
Tricker and Andrzejewski. Remediation of Water
Contaminated with an Azo Dye. Journal of Chemical
Education. Vol.76. December 1999

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The presenters would like to thank Karen Frindell,
Chemistry Instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College,
and the Chemistry department for the help, guidance,
support, and for providing the materials needed.