Photocatalysis as a pre-discharge treatment to improve the effect of textile dyes on human health: A critical review
Dineo A. Bopape, Bulelwa Ntsendwana, Fumani D. Mabasa
Abstract
and many more. This review explores alternative processes for textile dye effluents treatment before their release to the environment. The aim of the review is to recommend photocatalysis as a suitable preliminary treatment technique for textile effluents before their release to the environment. Photocatalysis stands out amongst other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) processes as it is a promising approach that researchers worldwide are embracing. It is a process that converts organic pollutants into less harmful substances using light and a photo-excitable catalyst. Both TiO₂ and ZnO are widely used photocatalysts and have shown effectiveness towards dye degradation. Their degradation efficiencies depend on pH, concentration of dye, dosage, time and the type of light. These photocatalysts are reusable and have OH radicals as the most active species during the photodegradation process. Recent studies have shown that photocatalysis, either alone or in combination with other methods like UV or H₂O₂, offers a practical preliminary treatment option for various industrial effluents, enhancing the degradability of complex dyes and pollutants.