Low cost effective heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst from drinking water treatment residuals for reactive blue 19 degradation: Preparation and characterization

Abstract

Four different catalysts from drinking water treatment residuals (DWTR) were prepared via impregnation in the iron nitrate, calcined at different temperatures ranged from 200 degrees C to 500 degrees C, and tested for the reactive blue 19 oxidation using the heterogeneous photo-Fenton, under UVA light source. XRD and XPS results revealed that iron nature was found under a ferric oxide form (Fe3+) similar to the magnetite. Calcination temperature results showed a significant effect on the activity of the catalysts. RB19 and TOC removals were 99% and 79%, respectively, with the best catalyst that calcined at 500 degrees C in optimal conditions as follows: initial pH solution = 3, 10 mM of H2O2 dosage, 0.5 g/L of catalyst loading, reaction temperature 35 degrees C, and I-UVA = 3.55 MW/cm(2) for 50 mg/L of RB19. The reusability of the catalyst after three cycles showed complete removal of RB19 and 65% TOC removal. Practitioner points Synthetized heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst from drinking water treatment residuals for the photo Fenton oxidation. The calcination temperatures plays a crucial role in catalyst photocatalytic activity. Degradation of reactive blue 19 with Fe/DWTR-500 in presence of H2O2. The Fe/DWTR-500 catalyst exhibited the best photocatalytic activity. Reusability studies of Fe/DWTR-500 and the kinetics of reactive blue 19 degradation were investigated.