Efficiency Effectiveness of Photochemical and Sonochemical Processes Combined with Hydrogen Peroxide in Degradation of Basic Violet 16 (BV16) from Aqueous Solutions: A Kinetic Study

Cationic dyes such as basic violet have many applications in different industries. The degradation of basic violet by means of UV, UV/H2O2, US, and US/H2O2 processes was investigated. Photolysis process was accomplished in a laboratory-scale batch photoreactor equipped with a 55 W immersed-type low-pressure mercury vapor lamp (UVC) and sonolysis process was investigated in a sonoreactor with high frequency (130 KHZ) Plate Type transducer at 100 W of acoustic power with emphasis on the effect of various parameters and addition of Na2SO4 on discoloration and degradation efficiency. Complete decolonization of cationic BV 16 was achieved in 8 minutes using UV/H2O2 process. In addition, it was found that sonochemical decolorization is a less efficient process, comparing with photochemical process, as the decolorization proceeds to only 65% within 120 min. Low concentration of dye and natural pH resulting from dissolution of salt favors the degradation rate of dye. The results showed that sodium sulfate enhances the rate of sonochemical degradation of dye. In addition, kinetic parameters were obtained by application of first order equations. The results showed that UV/H2O2 and US/H2O2 processes can be effective in the removal of BV16 from aqueous solutions. Considering dye removal efficiency and availability, photochemical process combined with hydrogen peroxide can be recommended as a fast effective method for removal of dyes from aqueous solutions.