Congo Red Photodegradation using Magnesium Borate under UV Irradiation and Modelling by the Box Behnken Method


Ak B., GÜL E. M., Senberber-Dumanli F. T., KIPÇAK A. S., DERUN E.

WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION, cilt.237, sa.8, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 237 Sayı: 8
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11270-026-09162-4
  • Dergi Adı: WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Box-Behnken design, Congo Red, Magnesium Borate, Photodegradation, Wastewater treatment
  • Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study investigates, the photocatalytic potential of hydrothermally synthesised magnesium borate hydrate (Admontite, MgO3B(2)O(3)7H(2)O) for the removal of Congo Red (CR), a persistent azo dye, from aqueous solutions under UV irradiation. The photocatalyst was synthesised via a simplified hydrothermal route and comprehensively characterised by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses, confirming the formation of a single-phase admontite structure with submicron, multi-angular morphology. The effects of photocatalyst dosage, irradiation time, and initial dye concentration on CR removal efficiency were systematically evaluated using a Box-Behnken response surface methodology. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the reduced quadratic model described the experimental data (R-2 = 0.9985, p < 0.0001). The maximum CR removal efficiency of 58.74% was achieved under optimal conditions of 0.10 g photocatalyst dosage, 60 min irradiation time, and 50 ppm initial dye concentration. Radical scavenging experiments revealed that superoxide radicals (O-2(-)) played a dominant role in the photodegradation mechanism. These findings highlight magnesium borate hydrate as a cost-effective, environmentally benign, and structurally stable photocatalyst, offering a promising alternative for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment.