Rapid decolorization of azo dyes in aqueous solution by an ultrasound-assisted electrocatalytic oxidation process

In this study, we developed a novel ultrasound-assisted electrocatalytic oxidation (US-EO) process to decolorize azo dyes in aqueous solution. Rhodamine B was decolorized completely within several minutes in this developed US-EO system. Oxidation parameters such as applied potentials, power of the ultrasound, initial pH of the solution, and initial concentration of RhB were systematically studied and optimized. An obvious synergistic effect was found in decolorization of RhB by the US-EO process when comparing with either ultrasound (US) process or electrocatalytic oxidation (EO) one. Additionally, the decolorization of other azo dyes, such as methylene blue, reactive brilliant red X-3B, and methyl orange, were also effective in the US-EO system. The results indicated that US-EO system was effective for the decolorization of azo dyes, suggesting its great potential in dyeing wastewater treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.