Preparation, characterization and catalytic evaluation of Fe2O3/graphite composite in photo-Fenton reaction

ABSTRACT In this work, Fe2O3/graphite composite was prepared and used as a catalyst in photo-Fenton reaction for the decolorization of amaranth dye from aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Samples with different Fe2O3 contents supported on graphite were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The increase of the iron content in the composites resulted in a superior specific surface area. The response surface methodology generated from the Rotational Central Composite Design (RCCD) showed a maximum efficiency in the decolorization of the dye solution of 93% under the optimal experimental conditions of photo-Fenton reaction (pH = 2.5, amount of catalyst = 0.35 g L-1 and molar ratio H2O2/Ʃ mineralizable compounds: 4.7). Therefore, the Fe2O3/graphite composite can be used as a potential photo-Fenton catalyst for the degradation of amaranth dye from liquid effluents.