Preparation and application of cellulose acetate/Fe films in the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye through photo-Fenton reaction

In this study, the Reactive Black 5 dye degradation and textile effluent were investigated using the photo-Fenton process employing immobilized Fe3+ in acetate cellulose films. The films prepared were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy - energy-dispersive spectroscopy and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The factorial design revealed that the best conditions for the Reactive Black 5 dye degradation were obtained using the film containing 5% Fe (w/w), 100 mg L-1 H2O2 and pH 4.0. In studies using artificial light, the dye degradation was 99.29% and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction was 90% after 45 min of treatment. In the process assisted by sunlight, the degradation was 86% and the COD reduction was 70% considering the same time of treatment. At pH 6.0 and artificial light, the dye degradation was 98.90% and the COD reduction was 78%, indicating that the material prepared can be used at pH values greater than 3 without the occurrence of hydrated ferric oxides precipitation. It was also observed that the material can be reused seven consecutive times without substantial loss of efficacy in dye degradation. Furthermore, the proposed material reduces the COD of a textile effluent by 72% after 300 min of treatment.