Abstract
The adsorption (under dark condition) and photodegradation behaviors of Rhodamine B molecules on BiOBr under visible (532 nm) pulsed laser exposure were studied and reported for the first time. The adsorption kinetics/isotherm behaviors and thermodynamic process (adsorption dynamical parameters) occurred on as-prepared BiOBr were investigated. The photodegradation mechanisms, effects of BiOBr dosage and pulsed laser energy on dye removal efficiency in the presence of BiOBr particles were studied as well. Furthermore, the photodegradation of other kinds of Rhodamine dyes such as Rhodamine 6G. Sulforhodamine B and Sulforhodamine 640 were initially investigated and compared under 532 nm pulsed laser exposure. The study also demonstrated that the dissolved oxygen plays a very significant role in the photo-catalytic decomposition of Rhodamine. The BiOBr catalyst was found intact even under acidified conditions showing good stability of the catalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.