Reducing degradation of azo dye by zero-valent iron in aqueous solution

The reducing degradation kinetics of five azo dyes, Acid orange II, Acid orange IV, Acid orange GG, Acid red 3B and Orange I, by zero-valent iron powder in aqueous solution were studied. It showed that the degradation is a two-step reaction, with the first step being reversible. Solution acidity and iron surface area are the factors greatly influencing the degradation rates, and with increasing of acidity and iron surface area, the degradation rates increase.