Utilization of Iron Rusty Waste as a Valuable Catalyst to Improve Photo-phenton at Near Neutral pH in the Removal of Methyl Orange Pollutant

This study aims to enhance the photo-Fenton process for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye at near-neutral pH by utilizing iron rusty waste, which contains Fe₂O₃, as a solid catalyst instead of Fe²⁺ ions. The effects of process parameters (catalyst dose, H₂O₂ concentration, initial MO concentration, solution pH, and irradiation time) are examined to determine the optimum conditions. This process was conducted using a batch technique. The calcinated iron rusty waste contains crystalline Fe₂O₃, constituting ۵۴.۲% as total iron (Fe). The optimal condition for MO ۱۰ mg/L photodegradation is reached with Fe from ۲۴ mol/L iron rusty waste (۵۰ mg iron rusty waste), H₂O₂ ۶۰۰ mol, in ۶۰ min under UV light exposure, at pH ۷, resulting ۹۶% degradation, which is higher than the homogenous catalyst (۶۵%). Furthermore, the crystallinity of iron rusty waste remains stable after usage. This discovery highlights iron-rusty waste as a valuable catalyst source for dye pollution treatment through a low-cost heterogeneous photo-Fenton procedure.

کلیدواژه ها:

Photo-Fenton ، Heterogeneous catalyst ، iron rusty waste ، Photodegradation ، Methyl orange