Azo Dyes Degradation Approaches and Challenges: An Overview

Abstract

Dyes play a very important role in our daily lives. The dye industries started manufacturing dyes with natural sources and then turned towards synthetic ones. Among these dyes, about 60% of the total dyes are azo dyes which are used in industries. They are mostly used as textile dyes because they are easy to synthesize, chemically stable and diverse in nature. Azo dyes come in about 3000 different variations and are employed in a variety of industries, including the textile, leather, paper, and pharmaceutical sectors. But sadly, the majority of azo dyes are poisonous and mutagenic to all living things. The effluent coming from the textile sector must therefore be removed and treated. The wastewater is often treated using a variety of physical and chemical methods, however, these methods have been shown to be inefficient, expensive, produce insufficient amounts of sludge, and have limited effectiveness. So, in order to treat and decolorize dyes and dye-containing effluents without further harming the environment or endangering life forms, It has practically universal dye degradability is economical and has also eliminated a number of drawbacks of the physicochemical method. The properties and classification of azo dyes, associated problems, biodegradation techniques, and possibilities are only a few of the subjects covered in this chapter’s examination of recent research, advancements, and the body of existing information on them. Biological processes have received special attention as a remedy for the current problems with azo dyes.