Comparison of electrocoagulation using iron and aluminium electrodes with chemical coagulation for the removal of a highly soluble acid dye

► Electrocoagulation (EC) was successfully applied for removing a highly soluble dye. ► EC and chemical coagulation were compared: EC enhanced decolorization. ► For EC, Fe electrodes improved decolorization in comparison to Al electrodes. ► Iron electrodes also decreased energy consumption and operating costs. ► Dye electroreduction on Al could explain the discrepancies with Fe electrodes.