An efficient method for the degradation of the dye Rhodamine B (RhB) is reported. A SiO2 -hypocrellin B (SiO2 -HB) complex was found to work as a catalyst to degrade RhB in aqueous solution at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, over the pH range 1-10, under indoor light conditions. This method is capable of removing 82.68% of RhB within 20 min at pH 9. The SiO2 -HB complex was characterized by both scanning electron microscopy and surface area analysis. The reaction progress was examined using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and UV-visible spectroscopy. This process represents an efficient means of decontaminating dye-containing wastewaters in either highly acidic or weakly alkaline environments.
© 2016 The American Society of Photobiology.