Grape marc activated carbon/TiO2 hybrid degradation of RB5 azo dye: FT-IR and UV-visible analysis

Activated charcoal obtained from grape marc (GMAC) was impregnated by TiO2 anatase to form GMAC/TiO2 hybrid. The synthesized hybrid was used in the photodegradation of reactive black 5 (RB5). The degradation products were commonly characterized from the dye solution; neglecting the traces adsorbed on the surface of the catalyst. In the present work, we targeted to follow the degradation products both on the surface of GMAC/TiO2 hybrid by FT-IR spectroscopy and in the RB5 solution by UV-visible, after exposure to UV light during various time periods. The analysis of the hybrid surface revealed the presence of degradation species including carboxylic and sulfate groups.