Thermally activated persulfate oxidation of Basic Fuchsin dye: Effect of different operating parameters, kinetic, and thermodynamic study

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate the efficiency of thermal activation persulfate in eliminating the organic dye “Basic Fuchsin” (BF). In addition, the study attempts to elucidate the effect of different operating parameters, such as persulfate dosage (0.44–4.4 mM), the initial solution pH of (3–10), and temperature (25–50°C), on the process. The effects of various anions and water matrices on BF discoloration were investigated. Thus, the findings revealed that 94.15% of BF can be eliminated using persulfate at a concentration of 4.4 mM and a temperature equal to 50°C. It occurs under the following operating conditions: oxidation time of 60 min, initial pH equal to 6, the pollutant concentration of 10 ppm, and stirring speed equal to 300 rpm. Furthermore, the kinetic study indicated that the degradation of the BF dye using PS followed a first-order pattern with rate constants varying within a range of 15.3 × 10⁻³–43.2 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹. Based on the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy of the studied process was determined to be 29 kJ mol⁻¹, suggesting that a moderate activation energy is required for BF discoloration. The results of the thermodynamic study confirm that the oxidation process is non-spontaneous and endothermic. Coexisting inorganic anions delayed BF discoloration to varying degrees, and the inhibitory action followed the following order: carbonate > chloride > sulfate > nitrate. Organic pollutants oxidation by the thermal activation of the persulfate is a simple and effective method for the depollution of waste textile water.