Synthesis of Lithium Copper Molybdate Nanoparticles and their Application for Photocatalytic Degradation of Malachite Green

In the present investigation, degradation of a non - biodegradable azo dye, malachite green has been carried out using lithium copper molybdate (Li2CuMo2O8) as a photocatalyst. This catalyst was prepared by solid state reaction between Li2CO3, CuO and MoO3. The effect of various parameters such as pH, concentration of malachite green, amount of lithium copper molybdate and light intensity has also been studied. Water quality parameters like chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductance, pH, TDS, salinity and dissolved oxygen have been determined before and after treatment. The rate of photodegradation of malachite green dye followed pseudo- first order kinetics. A tentative mechanism involving OH radicals as an oxidant for degradation of dye has been proposed.