A flow-through electro-Fenton process using modified activated carbon fiber cathode for orange II removal
Yongli Jiao1, Liang Ma1, Yusi Tian1
1Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Tianjin Advanced Water Treatment Technology International Joint Research Center, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
This study developed an electro-Fenton process using a novel reactor with a modified activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode for Orange II dye removal. The optimized system achieved 96.7% dye removal and 55.4% mineralization, showing promise for wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Textile dyes like Orange II pose significant environmental challenges.
- Conventional wastewater treatment methods often struggle with complete dye degradation.
- Electro-Fenton (EF) processes offer a promising advanced oxidation technology for pollutant removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a novel electro-Fenton process for Orange II removal.
- To develop and characterize a modified activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode for in-situ hydrogen peroxide generation.
- To optimize operating parameters and assess the mineralization efficiency of the process.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of a novel ACF cathode modified with carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
- In-situ generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the modified cathode.
- Application of the electro-Fenton process in a recirculation flow-through reactor for Orange II degradation.
- Optimization of parameters including PTFE content, current, flow rate, pH, and Fe2+ concentration.
Main Results:
- The optimal PTFE content in the cathode mixture was determined to be 75%.
- The electro-Fenton system achieved 96.7% Orange II removal and 55.4% mineralization within 120 minutes.
- Optimal conditions included a current of 100 mA, pH 3, 0.3 mM Fe2+, and a flow rate of 7 mL min-1.
- The modified ACF cathode demonstrated good stability and regeneration capabilities.
- Hydroxyl radicals (OH) were identified as the primary oxidizing species.
Conclusions:
- The developed electro-Fenton process with a modified ACF cathode is highly effective for Orange II degradation.
- In-situ H2O2 generation on the modified cathode enhances the efficiency of the EF process.
- The system shows potential for practical application in treating organic pollutants in wastewater.
- The stability and regenerability of the cathode suggest a cost-effective and sustainable treatment solution.
