Determining the Optimum Conditions for Photocatalytic Dye Removal by Polyaniline/Graphene Nano-Composite Under Visible Light Irradiation

In this research polyaniline/Graphene nano-compoite has been prepared through in situ polymerization and was used as a photocatalist to degrade acid red 14 dye under visible light irradiation. SEM and XRD tests were used to characterize the morphological properties of nano-composite. The effect of different parameters such as initial dye concentration, nano-composite dosage, pH and temperature on the activity of the nano-composite towards the degradation process was investigated. The optimum efficiency of 98 percent and breaking of the main bonds of dye molecule was happened under dye concentration of 80 mg/L, PANI/Gr dosage of 0.6 gr/L, pH=7 and T= 25 oC after 150 min irradiation time. Over 95 percent of COD was also removed after 300 minutes.