PHOTOCATALYST TREATMENT OF METHYLENE BLUE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING Ag-TiO2-SiO2 COATED ON GLASS SPHERES

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of Ag-TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst coated on glass spheres under sunlight irradiation for the treatment of methylene blue in aqueous solution. The morphology and composition of the photocatalyst before and after treatment were characterized using SEM and EDS analysis. The effects of light intensity, UV, and flow rate on removal efficiency were investigated. With the flow rate of 0,05 L/h, a retention time of 3,6 minutes, methylene blue removal efficiency was 98,9% and quite stable in 6 hours of operation under light intensity and UV radiation of 6952-159589 lux and 82-3010 µW/cm2, respectively. The result showed that Ag-TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst coated on glass balls after the treatment can be reused by sun exposure for 150 minutes in water to remove methyl blue from its surface. This study hence open the opportunity for application of the material under sunlight for the treatment of colored organic compounds.
Keywords: Ag-TiO2-SiO2, photocatalytst, sunlight, methylene blue (MB), glass sphere.