Oxidative decolorization of Acid Red 1 solutions by Fe–zeolite Y type catalyst

A study of the decolorization of azo dye, Acid Red 1 (AR1), in an aqueous solution using Fe–zeolite Y type (Fe–ZYT) catalyst has been carried out. The effects of different reaction parameters such as initial iron ions loading on zeolite Y type (ZYT), catalyst dosage, solution pH and initial concentration of H2O2, dye solution and reaction temperature on the decolorization of AR1 were studied. The best reacting conditions were 0.80 wt.% of iron ions loading on ZYT, catalyst dosage = 2.50 g/L, initial pH = 2.5, [H2O2]o = 16 mM, and [AR1]o = 50 mg/L at temperature 30 °C. Under these conditions, 99% decolorization efficiency of AR1 was achieved within 60 min of reaction time. The results indicated that Fe–ZYT was a promising catalyst for the heterogeneous Fenton system.

Research highlights
► The decolorization of Acid Red 1 using Fe-zeolite Y type catalyst was examined.
► The catalyst exhibited superior catalytic performance.
► A small drop of catalytic performance was observed in the stability test.
► Low iron leaching provides an advantages to Fe-zeolite Y type as a catalyst.