Modeling and optimizing of sonochemical degradation of Basic Blue 41 via response surface methodology

The nanocatalyst-assisted sonodegradation of Basic Blue 41 (BB41) dye in aqueous medium was modeled and optimized using response surface method (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. The studied variables included pH, initial dye concentration, H2O2 concentration and sonolysis time while each factor varied at three levels: Low level (-1), Medium level (0) and High level (+1). The ultrasound -assisted degradation was well described by developing quadratic model with correlation value squared (R-2) of 0.9114. Factor effects along with interaction effects were evaluated. The graphical optimization step was conducted to achieve the best experimental condition in dye removal. pH, H2O2 concentration and initial dye concentration of the reaction were investigated. It was recognized that at lower pH values the dye removal rate decreased. However, dye removal rate increased (82.5%) by increasing the concentration of H2O2 and by lowering the initial dye concentration.