Asian Journal of Green Chemistry
3.8(Q2)
CiteScore
27
h-index

Green Chemistry Approach for the Study of Methylene Blue Degradation in Aqueous Medium by CaO Photocatalysts under LED and Halogen Irradiation

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Chini Zine Labidine 1, 2
Chaouki Mourad 3
Mezrag Abderrahmane 4, 5
Boumessaidia Selmane 1, 2
Karce Houssam Eddine 6, 7
Aissaoui Meriem 1, 5
Esseid Chahrazed 1, 5
Benyamina Adlene 8
Abdallah El Hadj Abdallah 1, 9

1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Saad Dahlab of Blida 1, 9000 Algeria

2 Laboratory Physical Chemistry of Interfaces of Materials Applied to the Environment, Saad Dahleb University Blida, Algeria

3 Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University Kasdi Merbah, Ouargla, University Kasdi Merbah, Ouargla, Algeria

4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of sciences, University of Saad Dahlab of Blida 1, 9000 Algeria

5 Department of Chemistry, Laboratoire de Valorisation des Ressources Naturelle, Molécules Bioactives et Analyses Physicochimiques et Biologiques (VARENBIOMOL), Université Constantine 1, Route d’Ain el Bey, Constantine, Algeria

6 Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Environment (LEE), Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University, 34000 Bordj Bou Arréridj, Algeria

7 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology of the Mohamed Bachir Ibrahimi University of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria

8 Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments, Larbi Ben M'hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi 04000, Algeria

9 Laboratory of Biomaterials and Transport Phenomena (LBMPT), University of Medea, Medea, Algeria

https://doi.org/10.48309/ajgc.2026.559210.1868
Abstract
This work presents a green chemistry approach to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue in aqueous medium using calcium oxide (CaO) as a photocatalyst under LED and halogen irradiation. The study focuses on how calcination temperature and light source influence the photocatalytic activity of CaO. Structural characterization (FTIR, SEM, and EDX) confirmed that increasing the calcination temperature from 1,000 °C to 1,100 °C enhances the crystallinity and homogeneity of CaO particles. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that, in the absence of light, the degradation rate remains low (< 3%), confirming that photocatalysis is the main degradation pathway. Under halogen lighting at 1,000 °C, 60% of Methylene Blue degraded within 40 minutes, while LED irradiation achieved 30%. At 1,100 °C, performance improved markedly: halogen light yielded 80% degradation after 60 minutes, compared to 50% under LED. The pH of the solution significantly affected efficiency; in basic medium (pH 9), LED irradiation led to 90% degradation at 1,100 °C, surpassing halogen (50%). In acidic medium (pH 2), efficiency remained below 25% under all conditions. Complete (100%) degradation was achieved at a catalyst mass of 15 mg under halogen light at 1,100 °C. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing physicochemical parameters to improve CaO-based photocatalysis and emphasize the potential of Green Chemistry principles for sustainable pollutant degradation.

Graphical Abstract

Green Chemistry Approach for the Study of Methylene Blue Degradation in Aqueous Medium by CaO Photocatalysts under LED and Halogen Irradiation

Keywords

Green Chemistry
Photocatalysis
Methylene blue
CaO oxide
Environmental pollution
Degradation

Subjects

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Asian Journal of Green Chemistry
Volume 10, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 413-429

  • Receive Date 13 October 2025
  • Revise Date 21 November 2025
  • Accept Date 07 December 2025

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