Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electrochemical mineralization of methylene blue dye using electro-Fenton oxidation catalyzed by a novel sepiolite/pyrite nanocomposite

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) treatment using a sepiolite/pyrite (Sep/FeS2) nanocomposite was employed to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye. The morphology and structure properties of the prepared catalyst were thoroughly studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping analysis. The EF studies were carried out in an undivided electrochemical cell equipped with a platinum (Pt) sheet as anode and graphite plate as cathode. Effects of initial pH, applied current intensity, catalyst dose and initial dye concentration on the mineralization of MB were examined, and their values were determined as 3.0, 1.0 g L−1, 50 mg L−1 and 150 mA, respectively. An almost total mineralization was acquired for a 50 mg L−1 MB solution in 75 min reaction time. The degradation mechanism using the Sep/FeS2-EF treatment was suggested with the analysis of intermediate products by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Accounting for the high catalytic capability, chemical constancy and inexpensive cost, the Sep/FeS2 nanocomposite has great potential working as an EF catalyst for industrial applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed J, Rakib RH, Rahman MM, Asiri AM, Siddiquey IA, Islam SS, Hasnat MA (2019) Electrocatalytic oxidation of 4-aminophenol molecules at the surface of an FeS2/carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode in aqueous medium. ChemPlusChem 84:175–182

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bae S, Kim D, Lee W (2013) Degradation of diclofenac by pyrite catalyzed Fenton oxidation. Appl Catal B Environ 134:93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Barhoumi N, Oturan N, Olvera-Vargas H, Brillas E, Gadri A, Ammar S, Oturan MA (2016) Pyrite as a sustainable catalyst in electro-Fenton process for improving oxidation of sulfamethazine. Kinetics, mechanism and toxicity assessment. Water Res 94:52–61

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bounab L, Iglesias O, Pazos M, Sanromán MÁ, Gonzalez-Romero E (2016) Effective monitoring of the electro-Fenton degradation of phenolic derivatives by differential pulse voltammetry on multi-walled-carbon nanotubes modified screen-printed carbon electrodes. Appl Catal B Environ 180:544–550

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouzayani B, Meijide J, Pazos M, Elaoud SC, Sanroman MA (2017) Removal of polyvinylamine sulfonate anthrapyridone dye by application of heterogeneous electro-Fenton process. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:18309–18319

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brillas E, Sirés I, Oturan MA (2009) Electro-Fenton process and related electrochemical technologies based on Fenton’s reaction chemistry. Chem Rev 109:6570–6631

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao CY, Wei F, Qu J, Song WG (2013) Programmed synthesis of magnetic magnesium silicate nanotubes with high adsorption capacities for lead and cadmium ions. Chem A Eur J 19:1558–1562

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celis R, Hermosin MC, Cornejo J (2000) Heavy metal adsorption by functionalized clays. Environ Sci Technol 34:4593–4599

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Yang X, Huang J, Zhu Y, Zhou Y, Yao Y, Li C (2016) Iron oxide containing graphene/carbon nanotube based carbon aerogel as an efficient E-Fenton cathode for the degradation of methyl blue. Electrochim Acta 200:75–83

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen M, Wang C, Wang Y, Tang Z, Yang Z, Zhang H, Wang J (2019) Hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming: effect of Ce content on catalytic performance of Co/sepiolite catalyst. Fuel 247:344–355

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Do TM, Byun JY, Kim SH (2017) An electro-Fenton system using magnetite coated metallic foams as cathode for dye degradation. Catal Today 295:48–55

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Es’ haghzade Z, Pajootan E, Bahrami H, Arami M (2017) Facile synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles via aqueous based electro chemical route for heterogeneous electro-Fenton removal of azo dyes. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 71:91–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Esfahani KN, Farhadian M, Nazar AS (2019) Interaction effects of various reaction parameters on the treatment of sulfidic spent caustic through electro-photo-Fenton. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16:7165–7174

    Google Scholar 

  • Fayazi M (2019) Facile hydrothermal synthesis of magnetic sepiolite clay for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Anal Bioanal Chem Res 6:125–136

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fayazi M, Afzali D, Taher M, Mostafavi A, Gupta V (2015) Removal of Safranin dye from aqueous solution using magnetic mesoporous clay: optimization study. J Mol Liq 212:675–685

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fayazi M, Taher MA, Afzali D, Mostafavi A (2016) Enhanced Fenton-like degradation of methylene blue by magnetically activated carbon/hydrogen peroxide with hydroxylamine as Fenton enhancer. J Mol Liq 216:781–787

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fayazi M, Afzali D, Ghanei-Motlagh R, Iraji A (2019) Synthesis of novel sepiolite–iron oxide–manganese dioxide nanocomposite and application for lead (II) removal from aqueous solutions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:18893–18903

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golsheikh AM (2014) Graphene-based metal/metal sulphide nanocomposites: fabrication, characterization and its applications. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

    Google Scholar 

  • He Z, Gao C, Qian M, Shi Y, Chen J, Song S (2014) Electro-Fenton process catalyzed by Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for degradation of CI Reactive Blue 19 in aqueous solution: operating conditions, influence, and mechanism. Ind Eng Chem Res 53:3435–3447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hou B, Han H, Jia S, Zhuang H, Xu P, Wang D (2015) Heterogeneous electro-Fenton oxidation of catechol catalyzed by nano-Fe3O4: kinetics with the Fermi’s equation. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 56:138–147

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias O, De Dios MF, Pazos M, Sanromán M (2013) Using iron-loaded sepiolite obtained by adsorption as a catalyst in the electro-Fenton oxidation of Reactive Black 5. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:5983–5993

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khabbaz M, Entezari MH (2016) Simple and versatile one-step synthesis of FeS2 nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation. J Colloid Interface Sci 470:204–210

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khajouei G, Mortazavian S, Saber A, Meymian NZ, Hasheminejad H (2019) Treatment of composting leachate using electro-Fenton process with scrap iron plates as electrodes. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16:4133–4142

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarević S, Janković-Častvan I, Djokić V, Radovanovic Z, Janaćković D, Petrovic R (2010) Iron-modified sepiolite for Ni2+ sorption from aqueous solution: an equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic study. J Chem Eng Data 55:5681–5689

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu S, Zhao X-r, Sun H-y, Li R-p, Fang Y-f, Huang Y-p (2013) The degradation of tetracycline in a photo-electro-Fenton system. Chem Eng J 231:441–448

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Wang C, Song Y, Wei Y, He L, Lan B, He X, Wang J (2019) Effective mineralization of quinoline and bio-treated coking wastewater by catalytic ozonation using CuFe2O4/sepiolite catalyst: efficiency and mechanism. Chemosphere 227:647–656

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo M, Yuan S, Tong M, Liao P, Xie W, Xu X (2014) An integrated catalyst of Pd supported on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: simultaneous production of H2O2 and Fe2+ for efficient electro-Fenton degradation of organic contaminants. Water Res 48:190–199

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma H, Zhuo Q, Wang B (2009) Electro-catalytic degradation of methylene blue wastewater assisted by Fe2O3-modified kaolin. Chem Eng J 155:248–253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nazari P, Setayesh S (2019) Effective degradation of Reactive Red 195 via heterogeneous electro-Fenton treatment: theoretical study and optimization. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16:6329–6346

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nazari P, Tootoonchian P, Setayesh SR (2019) Efficient degradation of AO7 by ceria-delafossite nanocomposite with non-inert support as a synergistic catalyst in electro-Fenton process. Environ Pollut 252:749–757

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nohan MANM, Chia CH, Hashimi AS, Chin SX, Khiew PS, Zakaria S, Azmi A, Lau KS, Razali NF (2019) Highly stable binder free CNTs/rGO aerogel electrode for decolouration of methylene blue & palm oil mill effluent via electro-Fenton oxidation process. RSC Adv 9:16472–16478

    Google Scholar 

  • Pajootan E, Arami M, Rahimdokht M (2014) Discoloration of wastewater in a continuous electro-Fenton process using modified graphite electrode with multi-walled carbon nanotubes/surfactant. Sep Purif Technol 130:34–44

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Popescu M, Sandu C, Rosales E, Pazos M, Lazar G, Sanromán MÁ (2018) Evaluation of different cathodes and reaction parameters on the enhancement of the electro-Fenton process. J Electroanal Chem 808:455–463

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radoń A, Łukowiec D (2019) The structure and formation mechanism of FeS2/Fe3S4/S8 nanocomposite synthesized using spherical shaped Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the precursor. Int J Mater Res 110:75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabah E, Celik M (2002) Interaction of pyridine derivatives with sepiolite. J Colloid Interface Sci 251:33–38

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu X, Chen W, Zong S, Ren X, Liu D (2019) Magnetic clay as catalyst applied to organics degradation in a combined adsorption and Fenton-like process. Chem Eng J 373:140–149

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan S, Gou N, Alshawabkeh AN, Gu AZ (2013) Efficient degradation of contaminants of emerging concerns by a new electro-Fenton process with Ti/MMO cathode. Chemosphere 93:2796–2804

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yue L, Wang K, Guo J, Yang J, Luo X, Lian J, Wang L (2014) Enhanced electrochemical oxidation of dye wastewater with Fe2O3 supported catalyst. J Ind Eng Chem 20:725–731

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Fei C, Zhang D, Tang F (2007) Degradation of 4-nitrophenol in aqueous medium by electro-Fenton method. J Hazard Mater 145:227–232

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Tu J, Xiang J, Qiao Y, Xia X, Wang X, Gu C (2011) Influence of particle size on electrochemical performances of pyrite FeS2 for Li-ion batteries. Electrochim Acta 56:9980–9985

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang G, Zhou Y, Yang F (2015) FeOOH-catalyzed heterogeneous electro-Fenton system upon anthraquinone@graphene nanohybrid cathode in a divided electrolytic cell: catholyte-regulated catalytic oxidation performance and mechanism. J Electrochem Soc 162:H357–H365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Gao M, Wang S-G, Zhou W, Sang Y, Wang X-H (2017) Integrated electro-Fenton process enabled by a rotating Fe3O4/gas diffusion cathode for simultaneous generation and activation of H2O2. Electrochim Acta 231:694–704

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao F, Liu L, Yang F, Ren N (2013) E-Fenton degradation of MB during filtration with Gr/PPy modified membrane cathode. Chem Eng J 230:491–498

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran, under Grant No. 1360.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

    M. Fayazi

  2. Environmental Research Group, Part Nanofanavar Kavian (PNK) Company, Kerman, Iran

    M. Ghanei-Motlagh

Authors
  1. M. Fayazi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Ghanei-Motlagh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Fayazi.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: J Aravind.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 462 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fayazi, M., Ghanei-Motlagh, M. Electrochemical mineralization of methylene blue dye using electro-Fenton oxidation catalyzed by a novel sepiolite/pyrite nanocomposite. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 17, 4541–4548 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02749-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02749-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation