Sensitizing effect of bio-based chemicals from urban wastes on the photodegradation of azo-dyes

To promote bio-based products for the industry, six bio-organic substances (cHALi) isolated from yard trimmings (green) and food (humid) urban residues aged under aerobic digestion for 0–60 days were investigated for their potential to perform as sensitizers for azo-dyes photodegradation. Ethylorange (EO) was used as probe molecule at 5 mg L−1 starting concentration and irradiated in a closed Pyrex® cell with a Xenon (1500 W) lamp and a cut-off filter for wavelengths below 340 nm or in a cylindrical photochemical reactor equipped with a 125 W medium pressure Hg lamp. The cHALi/EO ratio in the starting EO solution varied in the 0–200 (w/w) range. The % dye abatement was found a function of the irradiation time, of the type of cHALi substance and of the cHALi/EO ratio. The best results were achieved with cHALi isolated after 7 days biomass aerobic digestion. Total dye abatement was achieved within relatively short few hours. A progressive dye mineralization was observed under the same experimental conditions. On the contrary no significant degradation was evident for the cHALi substances within the same irradiation time. Several hydroxylated azo compounds were identified as likely responsible of residual color after total EO abatement. The results, coupled to the previously reported good performance of the same cHALi substances as auxiliaries for textile dyeing, augur well for the development of both efficient and environmentally friendly textile dyeing processes.