Effect of UV Light Intensity on Methylene Blue Degradation by Fe3O4 Nanoparticles: A Distance-Based Study

Given the extensive use of synthetic dyes like methylene blue in industries such as textiles, plastics, and paper manufacturing, their environmental impact upon discharge into wastewater systems is a critical concern. These dyes are highly resistant to degradation, posing significant challenges for conventional wastewater treatment methods. As a result, innovative approaches are needed to address the persistent pollution caused by these dyes. This paper investigates the effect of UV light intensity on the degradation of methylene blue dye using magnetite iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. UV light was specifically chosen for this investigation due to its ability to activate nanoparticles and promote the generation of reactive species, which enhance the degradation process. Fe3O4 nanoparticles are explored for their efficiency as adsorbents to mitigate this impact. The experiment involved varying the distance of a UV light source (15, 20, 25, and 30 cm) from methylene blue dye solutions to assess how light intensity influences the degradation rate of the dye by Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Spectrophotometric measurements at 665 nm were used to monitor changes in dye concentration over 80 minutes.