Electrocoagulation of Reactive Orange 16 Textile Dye Solution Using Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Metal Plates as Electrodes

This study presented the comparison of the electrocoagulation efficiencies for steel, aluminum, and copper electrodes for the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and decolorization from solutions comprising the reactive orange 16. The electrodes were used in similar couples in this research, namely, Fe (anode) to Fe (cathode), Al (anode) to Al (cathode), and Cu (anode) to Cu (cathode). The samples were analyzed using spectrophotometric techniques UV/VIS and a colorimetric method. Higher removal efficiencies for color and COD were found at the current density of 0.025 A/cm², i.e. Fe/Al/Cu electrodes gave 91, 62, and 51% in the COD removal and 93, 82, and 70% for color removal. Other parameters taken such as pH, electrolysis time, and the initial azo dye concentrations were also optimized at all of the electrodes. The decolorization and COD removal efficiencies were found decreased with increasing the initial dye concentration. Being simple and cost effective, this technique can be applicable for the treatment of real textile wastewater.