Photoassisted degradation of CI Reactive Red 195 using an Fe(III)-grafted polytetrafluoroethylene fibre complex as a novel heterogeneous Fenton catalyst over a wide pH range

Polytetrafluoroethylene fibre was grafted with acrylic acid to form an effective ligand, which coordinated with Fe(III) ions to prepare an Fe(III)-grafted polytetrafluoroethylene fibre complex. The photoassisted degradation of a typical azo dye, CI Reactive Red 195, using the Fe(III)-grafted polytetrafluoroethylene fibre complex as a novel heterogeneous Fenton catalyst in a wide pH range of 3-9 was investigated. In order to achieve better degradation in a higher pH range, the effect of Fe content, incorporation of Cu(II) ions and UV light irradiation on dye degradation was also examined. The results indicated that dye degradation was effective in the presence of the Fe(III)-grafted polytetrafluoroethylene fibre complex. Fast degradation of the dye can take place in an acidic environment. Increasing the Fe content or incorporating Cu(II) ions can significantly accelerate dye degradation, and UV light irradiation is much more effective than visible light irradiation in a higher pH range, especially in the alkaline pH range.