Preparation of polyethylene-supported zero-valent iron buoyant catalyst and its performance for Ponceau 4R decolorization by photo-Fenton process

In this work, zero-valent iron powders were supported onto polyethylene pellet using thermal attachment method at low temperature (120 degrees C). Polyethylene-supported zero-valent iron was used as a photo-Fenton buoyant catalyst for the removal of Ponceau 4R dye from aqueous solution under visible light. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and photographic images. Through the results, excellent adherence of zero-valent iron powders onto the polyethylene pellet surface was obtained. The material showed satisfactory catalytic activity, reaching total decolorization of Ponceau 4R dye at 15 min of reaction. In addition, the buoyant catalyst exhibited other advantages such as easy separation from aqueous solution, good stability and recyclability. Therefore, this research exhibited the great potential of poly-ethylene-supported zero-valent iron as a photo-Fenton buoyant catalyst to apply in environmental remediation.