Application of PAN-Fe as heterogeneous catalyst in oxidative degradation of azonic dyes

A modified polyacrylonitrile-Fe fibrous photocatalyst (PAN-Fe) is prepared by a reaction between PAN fibers containing amidoxime group and ferric chloride at room temperature, then it is applied to oxidative degradation of anionic water-soluble azonic dyes such as Active Red 195 and Acid Black 234 in the presence of H2O2, a few factors affecting the decoloration rate of dyes and reaction rate constant such as the amount of catalysts, irradiation intensity, pH value and concentration of the dyes on the photocatalytic decoloration are investigated. The results indicate that the decoloration rate of dyes and reaction rate constant are improved by increasing the amounts of catalysts and improving radiation light intensity, however, increasing initial concentration of dyes goes against degradation reaction. In addition, the PAN -Fe catalyst has a higher catalytic activity in acidic medium than in the alkaline medium.