Electro-Fenton degradation of the food dye amaranth using a gas diffusion electrode modified with cobalt (II) phthalocyanine

• Effluents containing azo food dye amaranth (AM) represent an environmental hazard.
• Electrodegradation of AM achieved using a modified gas diffusion electrode (MGDE).
• Decolorization and mineralization of AM was maximal in presence of 0.15 mM Fe2+.
• Energy consumption for removal of total organic carbon was minimal with 0.15 mM Fe2+.

Electrodegradation of the azo dye amaranth using a modified gas diffusion electrode (MGDE), prepared with Printex 6L carbon black and 5.0% cobalt (II) phthalocyanine, has been investigated with the aim of developing an efficient method of treating contaminated effluent derived from the food and beverage processing industries. Hydrogen peroxide was electrogenerated at a potential of −0.7 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) under a constant flow of O2, and electrodegradations were performed in the absence or presence of Fe2+ or Fe3+ (electro-Fenton conditions). The removal of color and total organic carbon (TOC) from the dye solution was observed under all reaction conditions, although process efficiency was improved markedly by the addition of Fe ions. Following 90 min of electrolysis, maximal values for decolorization (79.3%) and mineralization (67.3%) were achieved in the presence of 0.15 mM Fe2+, and energy consumption (370.0 kW h kg−1 per kg of TOC removed) was minimal under these conditions. Concentrations of residual Fe in treated electrolytes were either below the permissible limit or could be rendered so by conventional treatment. It is concluded that the electro-Fenton reaction with Fe2+ and a MGDE represents a viable process for the degradation of amaranth in aqueous medium.

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