Catalytic degradation of methyl orange dye using NR-Ag films

Abstract

Organic dyes have been used widely in various industries such as printing and textiles. As a consequence to its stability, these dyes exist persistently in industrial waste water resulting in a rise in environmental pollution. To overcome this problem, we proposed a more environmental friendly approach with ease of recovery for subsequent use. Here, natural rubber films were formed from natural rubber latex and were incorporated with silver salt. Subsequently, thermal reduction was used to form natural rubber - silver (NR-Ag) films. The synthesized films were employed as catalysts in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye. The films which were immersed in MO dye and subjected to a UV light source showed positive results for the degradation of MO dye. Several parameters such as the Ag salt concentration during immersion of the NR films, pH of the MO dye and reusability of the NR-Ag films were investigated. The properties of the NR-Ag films were investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy and surface electron techniques while degradation of MO dye was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy technique. Optimum parameters for the degradation of MO were immersion of NR in 0.3 M AgNO3 for 3 hours at pH 3.