Properties and Mechanism of Fe–Cu–AC Microelectrolysis for Treatment of Typical Dye Wastewater

Abstract

The degradation of typical dye wastewater has always been a continuous concern in wastewater treatment. Microelectrolysis is a technology that offers the advantages of being green and highly efficient in treating wastewater. However, traditional binary microelectrolysis has problems, such as low applicability and high dependence on acidic environments. This study prepared ternary microelectrolytic materials, optimized the key conditions of material preparation and wastewater treatment, explored the removal mechanism of ternary microelectrolytic materials for dye wastewater, and quantitatively analyzed the contribution of different removal paths in the removal process of dye. For chemical oxygen demand (COD), the removal contributions of adsorption, flocculation, ·O2−, ·OH, and reduction were 22.23%, 20.35%, 15.43%, 6.62%, and 0.71%, respectively. For the chorma removal of vital red, the removal contributions of adsorption, flocculation, ·O2−, ·OH, and reduction were 21.07%, 55.97%, 14.57%, 4.62%, and 0.91%, respectively. For the chorma removal of disperse blue, the removal contributions of adsorption, flocculation, ·O2−, ·OH, and reduction were 7.81%, 72.36%, 11.52%, 6.10%, and 0.70%, respectively. Ternary microelectrolysis can achieve an ideal removal effect in a neutral treatment environment. The material structure, ·O2− produced in the system, and pH regulation of effluent are crucial in the removal process of dye wastewater. Ternary microelectrolysis materials are superior to traditional binary microelectrolysis materials due to their double cathode characteristics, strong applicability, and ability to operate in a neutral treatment environment. This study can serve as guide for ternary microelectrolysis technology in the treatment of typical dye wastewater.