ZnO/UV mediated photocatalytic degradation of Acid Green 16, a commonly used leather dye

The photocatalytic degradation of Acid Green 16 has been investigated in th e presence of an aqueous suspension of ZnO irradiated with near UV light (2 54 nm). The influences of irradiation time, initial concentration of the dy e, catalyst loading, light intensity, pH, particle size, presence of oxygen , nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, FeCl3 and Fenton's reagent on the degradatio n efficiency were systematically studied. The decolourisation and extent of degradation of the dye were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and COD refl ux methods respectively. Complete mineralisation was confirmed by COD analy sis as well as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).