Visible light induced photocatalytic degradation of some xanthene dyes using immobilized anthracene

Photocatalytic degradation of eosin and erythrosin-B (xanthene dyes) has been carried out using anthracene semiconductor immobilized on polyethylene films. Effect of various parameters like pH, concentration of dyes, amount of semiconductor and light intensity have been studied on the rate of reaction. Various control experiments were carried out which indicated that semiconductor anthracene played a key role in photocatalytic degradation of dyes. A suitable tentative mechanism has been proposed for photocatalytic degradation of dyes. KEY WORDS: Photocatalytic, Degradation, Xanthene dyes, Immobilized anthracene Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(3), 361-368.