Degradation of azo dye reactive black b using an immobilized iron oxide in a batch photo-fluidized bed reactor

A batch photo-fluidized bed reactor was designed, and a novel immobilized iron oxide catalyst called "B1" was utilized for the heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of reactive black B (RBB). This catalyst adsorbs RBB well and can markedly accelerate the degradation of RBB under ultraviolet irradiation at λ=365nm. Effects of ultraviolet intensity, RBB concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, and the amount of B1 catalyst on RBB degradation were determined. It was found that removal of RBB could be up to 98% at [B1]=5g/L, [H₂O₂] ₀=63.75mg/L, [RBB]=100mg/L, and pH=4 in 180min. Moreover, the most attractive quality of the B1 catalyst is that it can facilitate nearly total RBB desorption under alkali conditions (pH=12), indicating high reusability for industrial applications.