USE OF AMMONIUM PHOSPHOMOLYBDATE AS PHOTOCATALYST FOR DEGRADATION OF CELESTINE BLUE B

Abstract

A study on photocatalytic degradation of celestine blue B in aqueous solution has been made in presence of ammonium phosphomolybdate
semiconductor. The extent of bleaching was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance at λmax = 555 nm. A maximum colour
fading of 97.7 % was achieved after irradiation time of 4 hours. The effect of various parameters such as the concentration of dye, pH of medium,
light intensity, and amount of semiconductor on the degradation rates were observed. Maximum degradation was observed in basic conditions. The
rate of bleaching of celestine blue B was found to follow pseudo‐first order kinetics. A tentative mechanism of photocatalysis has been proposed.