Fast zero-order hydro-cracking reaction of X-3B over crystal Al-Fe alloys: Effect of electrochemical corrosion behaviors

• Mechanical alloying process led to the formation of crystal Al(Fe) solid solution.
• A degradation efficiency of 99% for X-3B was achieved within only a few min under Al-Fe alloys treatment process.
• The electrochemical corrosion processes of the Al-Fe alloys significantly promote the degradation reaction.
• The degradation of the X-3B solution was fit to the zero-order kinetic model.

The present study described the excellent degrading ability of as-synthesized Al-Fe alloys for degradation of high-concentration X-3B in high salinity, alkaline aqueous solutions and its degradation mechanism. Al-Fe alloys were prepared by high-energy ball-milling of pure Fe and Al powders and further characterized by XRD, SEM, and BET. The results showed that the mechanical alloying process led to the formation of crystal Al(Fe) solid solution. Batch experimental results confirmed that a high concentration of X-3B could be completely removed from an aqueous solution with 2 g/L Al-Fe alloy particles within 3 min. The degradation of X-3B followed zero-order kinetics, for initial dye concentrations value from 100 to 2000 mg/L. The major factors that affect the degradation of X-3B were also investigated. Furthermore, the intermediate products were identified via UV–vis, FTIR, and GC–MS analysis, and the potential mechanism was discussed. It was also found that the biodegradability, as expressed by the BOD5/COD ratio, was significantly increased following the degradation reaction. Therefore, the Al-Fe alloys system was confirmed as an effective and simple strategy for the pre-treatment of azo dye wastewater.

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