Promoting azo dye decomposition in natural molybdenite activated peroxymonosulfate process by low concentration of ferrous ions

In this study, low concentration of ferrous ions (Fe2+) was added into natural molybdenite (MDN) activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process to degrade a typical azo dye, orange G (OG). It was found that the addition of Fe2+ promoted OG degradation and simultaneously reduced the leaching of toxic Mo ions significantly. Further, the utilization efficiency of MDN was improved immensely, which was estimated from reuse experiment. MDN mainly acted as the reductant to promote cycling of Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple through reducible sulfur and Mo(IV) on its surface. Sulfate radicals (SO4 center dot-), hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) and singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) were verified as the main reactive oxygen species responsible for OG degradation by scavenging tests and electron paramagnetic resonance. Some experiment parameters, such as MDN dosage, Fe2+ concentration, PMS concentration, initial solution pH and coexisting anion, all affected OG degradation efficiency. In a word, this work provides a new method of enhancing PMS activation by MDN using low concentration of Fe2+ for degradation of organic pollutants in water.

Automated summary

This study successfully degraded the azo dye OG by adding low concentration of Fe2+ into the MDN activated PMS process, which also reduced the leaching of toxic Mo ions significantly. The method improved the utilization efficiency of MDN by promoting the cycling of Fe3+/Fe2+ through its reductant role, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species responsible for OG degradation.