Degradation of dyes in aqueous solutions by the Fenton process.

Degradation of 20 different dyes in aqueous solutions by the Fenton process was performed. These dyes include 6 types: acidic, reactive, direct, cationic, disperse and vat dyes. The former four types of dyes were decolorized and their TOC values were decreased greatly, while the color and TOC removals of the latter two types were lower. The catalytic activities of four metal ions on the degradation efficiencies of Vat Blue BO, which was chosen as a model dye because of its lowest color and TOC removals, were compared in the dark and under the ultraviolet light irradiation. The catalytic ability of different metals was Fe2+>Cu2+>Mn2+>Ag+ in the dark, and the same sequence was obtained under irradiation condition with greater degradation efficiency. Furthermore, the efficiencies of three oxidation processes, including H2O2/UV, Fe2+/H2O2 and Fe2+/H2O2/UV were compared. The results showed that the oxidation by Fe2+/H2O2/UV was the strongest, and even greater than the arithmetic sum of the other two processes, which suggests the synergistic effect of ultraviolet and ferrous ions on the degradation reaction. copyright 2004 Elsevier Ltd.