Effect of several reagents on decolorization of methyl orange solution with KIO₄

Abstract

Increasing environmental pollution caused by toxic dyes due to their toxicity makes the removal of these dyes imperative. So, it is crucial to develop processes that can destroy these dyes effectively. It has been generally agreed that methyl orange (MO) solution can be effectively decolorized in KIO₄ homogeneous system under UV light irradiation. The knowledge on the influence of several reagents possesses both practical and theoretical values. The effects of H₂O₂, K₂S₂O₈, and KBrO₃ were investigated in detail. The results of the effects of five scavengers are presented. The results show that and can promote the photocatalytic decolorization of MO solution and H₂O₂ can enhance the decolorization efficiency of MO in the dark. However, the results of the effects of five scavengers cannot substantially support the argument that the degradation mechanism of KIO₄ involves hydroxyl radical attack. A more detailed mechanism needs to be further investigated in the near future.

Keywords:

• KIO₄
• Decolorization
• Methyl orange
• Reagents

Acknowledgments

This project was supported financially by the program of Science and Technology Department of Sichuan province (No. 2013JY0080), the program of Education Department of Sichuan province (No. 11ZA27, No. 11ZB243), the project of Zigong city (2011G042), the construct program of the discipline in Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, and the opening project of key laboratory of green catalysis of Sichuan Institutes of High Education (No. LZJ1202, No. LZYK01).