Abstract—In the present study, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized by using aqueous extract of Eriobotrya japonica leaves. The synthesized FeNPs were characterized by DLS, XRD, FTIR, and SEM/EDX techniques. The characterization studies showed that, the prepared FeNPs were irregular spherical particles and mainly consist of maghemite (
ɣ-Fe
2O
3), magnetite (Fe
3O
4), and iron oxohydroxide (FeOOH) structures. Subsequently, the synthesized FeNPs were utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst for decolourisation of a toxic azo-dyestuff, Basic Red 46, with Fenton-like degradation in the presence of H
2O
2. BR 46 decolourisation was measured spectrophotometrically and expressed in terms of the decrease in UV-vıs absorbance. FeNPs have high colour removal efficieny for BR 46 from aqueous solution. The effects of process parameters such as initial dye concentrations (100–5000 mg/L) and catalyst (FeNPs) concentrations (0.25–5 g/L) on Fenton-like degradation were investigated in a batch system. For Fenton-like degradation of BR 46 at room temperature, the optimum initial BR 46 concentration and FeNPs concentration were determined as 500 mg/L of and 0.5 g/L, respectively. Moreover, the possible Fenton-like decolourisation mechanism of Basic Red 46 was proposed. The suggested mechanism was based on the adsorption of Basic Red 46 on the surface of FeNPs, decomposition of H
2O
2, and formation of hydroxyl radicals and finally, oxidation of Basic Red 46.
Index Terms—Basic Red 46, decolourisation, green synthesis, heterogeneous fenton-like catalyst, iron nanoparticles.
Emel Simla Önal, Tolga Yatkin, Memduha Ergüt and Ayla Özer are with the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Mersin University, Çiftlikköy Campus, Yenişehir, Mersin TR33343, Turkey (e-mails: simtoga31@gmail.com, memduha.ergut@gmail.com, ayozer@mersin.edu.tr ).
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Cite: Emel Simla Önal, Tolga Yatkin, Memduha Ergüt, and Ayla Özer, "Green Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles by Aqueous Extract of Eriobotrya japonica Leaves as a Heterogeneous Fenton-like Catalyst: Degradation of Basic Red 46," International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Applications vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 327-333, 2017.
