Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue in TiO sub(2) Aqueous Suspensions Using Microwave Powered Electrodeless Discharge Lamps

The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) TiO sub(2) aqueous suspensions using microwave powdered electrodeless discharge lamps (EDL) was investigated. TiO sub(2) powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction with Cu K alpha irradiation. The accelerating voltage and emission current were 45 kV and 40 mA, respectively. Temporal adsorption spectral changing the wavelength of 665 nm during the decomposition of MB were monitored on a Shimadzu UV-2100 spectrophotometer. The absorption was converted to the MB concentration referring to the standard curve showing a linear behavior between the concentration and the absorption. MB of initial concentration 100 mg/l was mainly decomposed with TOC decreased 45% after 15 min irradiation.