Green catalysts for Fenton-like oxidation of Procion Red MX-5B: Influence of the activation method and the reaction parameters on dye removal

The catalytic activities of the iron catalysts over activated carbon supports prepared by different activation methods in the heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation of Procion Red MX-5B were investigated. The activated carbons were prepared from walnut shells by applying physical and three chemical activation methods, including HNO3, ZnCl2, and KOH activations to obtain various catalyst supports. KOH-activated carbon catalyst was assessed to be the most efficient one. Under the optimum reaction conditions, 47.5% COD removal, 51.6% degradation, and 91.6% decolorization efficiencies were achieved in the presence of this catalyst. In the kinetic study, the activation energy was evaluated as 47.36 kJ/mol.