Enhancing the electrochemical oxidation of acid-yellow 36 azo dye using boron-doped diamond electrodes by addition of ferrous ion.

This work shows preliminary results on the electrochemical oxidation process (EOP) using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode for acidic yellow 36 oxidation, a common azo dye used in textile industry. The study is centred in the synergetic effect of ferrous ions and hydroxyl free radicals for improving discoloration of azo dye. The assays were carried out in a typical glass cell under potentiostatic conditions. On experimental conditions, the EOP was able to partially remove the dye from the reaction mixture. The reaction rate increased significantly by addition of Fe(2+) (1mM as ferrous sulphate) to the system and by (assumed) generation of ferrate ion [Fe(VI)] over BDD electrode. Ferrate is considered as a highly oxidizing reagent capable of removing the colorant from the reaction mixture, in synergistic action with the hydroxyl radicals produced on the BDD surface. Further increases in the Fe(2+) concentration lead to depletion of the reaction rate probably due to the hydroxyl radical scavenging effect of Fe(2+) excess in the system.