Enhancement of the electro-activated persulfate process in dye removal using graphene oxide nanoparticle

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the speed of the electrochemical process by graphene oxide nanoparticle as a current accelerator in Acid Blue 25 removal from aqueous solutions. To do so, the effect of different parameters including pH, dye concentration, sodium persulfate concentration, the ratio of sodium persulfate to iron (II) sulfate concentration, current density, and the distance between electrodes was investigated on dye removal. Under optimal conditions of pH = 5, dye concentration = 200 mg/L, sodium persulfate concentration = 500 mg/L, iron (II) sulfate concentration = 100 mg/L, current density = 16.67 mA/cm2, and electrode distance = 2 cm, 95% of dye was removed after 60 min in the electro-activated persulfate process; while the modified electro-activated persulfate process achieved 95% dye removal after only 40 min under the same conditions. This system was able to remove 90% of dye after 60 min at a higher concentration (300 mg/L). Also, the modified electro-activated persulfate process obtained the removal of 80% of COD, and 54% of TOC after 180 min in the mentioned conditions, for the dye concentration of 300 mg/L. HIGHLIGHTS Geraphene oxide nanoparticles raised the reaction rate by 17% by increasing the conductivity.; The increase in conductivity, decreased the energy consumption by 50%.; More 100 mg/L dye can be removed by the modified system.; The oxidation state reduction made the dye structure simpler with less toxicity.;

Keywords

• acid blue 25
• electrochemical process
• energy consumption
• ferrous ion
• graphene oxide nanoparticle