Adsorption and catalytic combustion of ARB on CuO-Fe2O3

CuO-Fe2O3 composite material with strong magnetism and a large surface area is prepared by the co-precipitate method. Its adsorption properties towards Acid Red B (ARB) and the regeneration by catalytic combustion of organic compounds have been studied. The results show that the prepared CuO-Fe2O3 composite is an excellent adsorbent for ARB adsorption at acid condition. The presence of Cl- has no effect on ARB adsorption. But the SO42- can inhibit ARB adsorption. After being recovered by the magnetic separation method, the adsorbent can be regenerated by catalytic oxidation of absorbate at 300degreesC in air atmosphere. The combustion reactions of ARB in the presence or absence of CuO-Fe2O3 are studied by in situ diffuse reflection FTIR. The results indicate that, in the presence of CuO-FeA, the degradation temperature is significantly lowered by the catalysis of CuO-FeA, and ARB can be oxidized completely without volatile organic compound by-product; in comparison, in the absence of CuO-FeA, the temperature needed for oxidation of ARB is higher and the reaction is incomplete with some N-containing harmful compounds produced. The reusability of CuO-Fe2O3 is also studied in successive seven adsorption- regeneration cycles.