An overview to photo-catalytic degradation of dyes in waste water
Organic dyes used in textile and food industries are the important sources of environmental contaminations due to their non-bio degradability and high toxicity to aquatic creatures and carcinogenic effects on humans. This demands environmental remediation by the use of techniques which are environmentally benign. For this purpose, a general overview of dye degradation by light in the presence of materials as photo-catalysts has been given. The mechanism of action has also been described. Importantly, the materials involved in dye degradation usually involve nano-composites of either conducting polymers or metal-oxidesor graphene based systems which are insoluble in aqueous solutions, hence will be environmentally benign and can therefore be recovered after use.