Real-time in situ monitoring using visible spectrophotometry as a tool for probing electrochemical advanced oxidation processes for dye decolorisation

An apparatus for real-time in situ monitoring of electrochemical processes using UV-visible spectrophotometry has been used to optimise the electrochemically-activated persulfate decolorisation of Acid Orange 7. The impacts of varying electrode composition, current density, persulfate loading, and stirring speed on the rate of decolorisation have been probed. Decolorisation through this activated persulfate approach was compared to that using anodic oxidation for nine dyes; three from each of the azo, triarylmethane, and xanthene families. The core structure and presence of functional groups have a significant impact on the rate of decolorisation. Azo and xanthene dyes decolorise faster than triarylmethane dyes, while electron-withdrawing groups and halogens are especially detrimental to the rate of decolorisation. Electrochemically-activated persulfate resulted in faster decolorization than anodic oxidation for almost every dye, an effect that was enhanced with the electron-deficient substrates. This type of systematic structural comparison study is essential for designing electrochemical degradation procedures for the remediation of real wastewater.

Automated summary

An apparatus using UV-visible spectrophotometry was used to monitor electrochemical processes in real-time. This study focused on optimizing the electrochemical activation of persulfate for the decolorization of Acid Orange 7 dye. The research investigated the effects of electrode composition, current density, persulfate loading, and stirring speed on the decolorization rate. It was found that the core structure and functional groups of the dye significantly influenced the decolorization rate, and electrochemically-activated persulfate showed faster decolorization than anodic oxidation, particularly for electron-deficient substrates.