Degradation of basic yellow 28 via Fenton-like oxidation using a copper phosphate-based catalyst

Abstract

In this study a novel heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst, copper phosphate material Cu₃(PO₄)₂ with good stability over a wide pH range, was synthetized by sol gel method and characterized by several physicochemical techniques in the aim to eliminate Basic Yellow 28 (BY-28) an organic dye from water. The physicochemical analysis results of the catalyst revealed a high porosity with large specific surface area. Thus contributing to generate ^⋅OH radicals via the activation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). However, several reaction parameters affecting the catalyst performance such as H₂O₂ concentration, Cu₃(PO₄)₂ dose, initial pH, temperature and BY-28 concentration were investigated. The best dye degradation rates were achieved at the neutral pH with BY-28 dye concentration of 20 mg L⁻¹. The synthesized copper phosphate was successfully reused five times while retaining a removal efficiency of 97% after 50 min. Moreover, other dyes could be found in textile industry wastewater were also eliminated in the optimum condition. These results make the copper phosphate, a prominent catalyst for the organic dye degradation using the Fenton-like process.