Solar Chlorine Activation for Efficient Rhodamine B Removal in Strong Basic pH: Processing Conditions, Radicals Probing, and TiO2 Nanocatalyst Effect

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the application of UV/chlorine advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment. However, few studies have investigated this process a strongly basic medium (pH > 10), which is common characteristic many industrial effluents. addition, use artificial UV lamps these can be costly. To address challenges, we solar light (referred to as Solar-L) Solar-L/chlorine degradation Rhodamine B (RhB) 11). We found that separate or chlorination showed no after half an hour, but effectively degraded RhB, with complete removal achieved only 30 min, using 1000 µM ClO−. The also resulted significant reduction TOC, i.e., 60% 120 min and 80% 240 min. Our results indicate both •OH/O•− reactive chlorine species (RCS) were involved process, while O3 played role. performance improved decreasing initial contaminant concentration increasing temperature (up 55 °C). addition TiO2 nanocatalyst system significantly RhB efficiency by more than 30%. It was neither adsorption (on TiO2) nor Solar-L/TiO2 photolysis contributed dye Solar-L/chlorine/TiO2 system. Instead, improvement associated related involvement hypochlorite photocatalytic reaction at catalyst surface. A detailed discussion effect carried out based on physicochemical properties respect solution’s pH. conclusion, study highlights potential sustainable efficient technology treatment polluted water strong media presence chlorine/TiO2 additives. These valuable findings provide basis future research development promising applications.