Innovative photo-Fenton catalysis by PE-FeOx films leading to methylene blue (MB) degradation: Kinetics, surface properties and mechanism

• An innovative supported catalyst absorbing light in the visible region is reported.
• The PE film containing FeOx species induces Fenton like processes.
• Evidence is provided for the dye degradation steps on the catalyst surface.
• The PE-FeOx film leads to methylene blue degradation with acceptable kinetics.

This study reports an innovative preparation polyethylene-FeOx (PE-FeOx films) leading to the degradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye under low intensity sunlight/visible light (>400 nm). The intermediate highly oxidative radicals generated by PE-FeOx leading to MB discoloration/degradation in the presence of H2O2 were identified. The relative contribution to the MB discoloration by the Fe-ions leached from the PE-FeOx films into solution was determined quantitatively. This allows estimating the contribution of the heterogeneous and of the homogeneous leading to MB-degradation. The shift in the peak binding energy (BE) for Fe was detected by photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after the MB-degradation providing the evidence for redox catalysis occurring during MB-degradation at the PE-FeOx surface. The particle size and roughness of the PE-FeOx surfaces were determined by atomic force spectroscopy (AFM). The spectral properties of PE-FeOx films are reported and insight is provided for the mechanism of MB-degradation.

Schematic of the MB-degradation mechanism on PE-FeOx films under sunlight/visible irradiation.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (57 K)Download as PowerPoint slide