Catalytic decolorization of Acid blue 29 dye by H2O2 and a heterogeneous catalyst

The montmorillonite K10-Cu(II)ethylenediamine (MMTK10-Cu(en)2) catalyst has been prepared by intercalation of copper-ethylenediamine [Cu(en)2]2+ complex onto the montmorillonite K10. The intercalation process is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements. The decolorization of the Acid blue29 was conducted using MMTK10-Cu(en)2 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The effect of reactants concentrations and the temperature on the decolorization efficiency was studied. It was found that the efficiency of decolorization process increases with increasing the concentration of H2O2 and the dye and the temperature. The results indicated that complete removal of AB29 was achieved in 15 min when the concentrations of H2O2 and AB29 were 0.4 and 5 × 10−5 M respectively and 0.1 g of the catalyst at 30 °C. The activation parameters of the decolorization process were determined. Two possible mechanisms were proposed.