Photocatalysed decomposition of anthraquinone sulphonic acid (sodium salt)using ZnO

Anthraquinone-2-sulphonic acid-sodium salt (ASS) - an organic pollutant whi ch is being used in the paper industry, has been photodegraded with ZnO as catalyst in the presence of visible and UV light. Combination of UV or visi ble light with the catalyst is more effective than with the catalyst or lig ht alone for the photodegradation of ASS. The results on the effect of pH, effect of catalyst and pollutant concentration on the photodegradation of A SS were discussed. Kinetics of the photodegradation of ASS involving Langmu ir-Hinshel-wood mechanism has been discussed in detail.