Advanced Oxidation of Reactive Yellow 17 Dye: a Comparison between Fenton, Photo-Fenton, Electro-Fenton, Anodic Oxidation and Heterogeneous Photocatalysis Processes

In this study, Fenton, photo-Fenton, electro-Fenton, anodic oxidation and heterogeneous photocatalysis advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been applied to degrade reactive yellow 17 (RY17) dye in an aqueous solution. Comparison of these techniques for oxidation efficiency was undertaken. The results showed better performance with the use of a heterogeneous photocatalysis process. Degradation efficiency was observed in the order: heterogeneous photocatalysis > photo-Fenton = electro-Fenton > anodic oxidation > Fenton. Even though complete RY17 dye degradation has been observed with heterogeneous photocatalysis, photo-Fenton and electro-Fenton processes, the heterogeneous photocatalysis process has showed complete RY17 dye removal within 30 min, whereas in the case of photo-Fenton and electro-Fenton processes, no RY17 was detected after 60 min. Fenton and anodic oxidation processes have required more time for complete RY17 degradation. The RY17 degradation kinetics was studied and compared in all processes. The results showed higher rate constant values for heterogeneous photocatalysis (kapp = 0.2 min -1 ), photo-Fenton (kapp = 0.126 min -1 ) and electro-Fenton (kapp = 0.122 min -1 ) processes.