Application of Fe-based metallic glasses in wastewater treatment

This work pioneered the use of the Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass ribbons in wastewater treatment. Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass was employed to remediate wastewater contaminated with a mixture of organic dyes. The removal rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) with Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass and metallic Fe0 was up to 23 ± 0.93% in 30 min and 21 ± 0.67% with in 45 min, respectively. The dosage of Fe-based metallic glass was only 1/25 of that of metallic Fe0 to obtain equivalent effects. The mechanism of wastewater treatment through Fe-based metallic glasses is discussed.

► We found the Fe-based metallic glasses have potential application in wastewater treatment.
► The corrosion on the surface of Fe-based metallic glasses is related to the application.
► We set a new theory to explain the process of degredation organic metters with Fe-based metallic glasses.