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Dye Degradation Using PNDCs

Undergraduate #51
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Water

C'Asia James - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Co-Author(s): Brian Berry



This research focuses on the use of phosphorus nitrogen co-doped carbons (PNDCs) for the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes for wastewater remediation and water purification. PNDC is synthesized from spent coffee grounds and found to exhibit photocatalytic properties under visible light. Results from the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye demonstrated PNDCs degraded methylene blue significantly more than control and was shown to be reusable. PNDCs adsorption of methylene blue dye was also observed in the dark and potentially coupled with dye degradation.

Dispersed 12 mg of PNDC in an aqueous solution of methylene blue dye (50 μM). Irradiate PNDC dye dispersion with visible light for 1 min intervals. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was used to study the degradation. The reusability of the PNDC sample was studied by carrying out successive runs on the same sample. Two controls were run. One in which the dye containing no PNDC was exposed to visible light at the same intervals. For the second control, aliquots of a dye sample were kept in the dark and measured at the same intervals.

PNDC is a potential material that can be used for water treatment. PNDC is reusable. PNDC dye degradation and dye adsorption cannot be distinguished and thought to be coupled.

In order to decouple dye degradation and adsorption more dark runs and light runs need to be done. PNDCs potentially have the ability to lyse cells due to possible generation of reactive oxygenated species. PNDCs ability to lyse cells should be investigated.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): ARK-LSAMP, UALR Science Scholars, UALR Ronald E. McNair Research Program.

Faculty Advisor: Daniel Foltz-Morrison,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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