Anodic Fenton Degradation of Basic Blue 9 Textile Dye in a Divided Parallel Plate Reactor: Comparison of Two Cationic Membranes

The anodic Fenton degradation of Basic Blue 9 (BB9) dye was evaluated using a divided parallel plate reactor with a cationic membrane (Nafion ® 117 or reverse osmosis). Hydroxyl radicals were produced by the catalytic decomposition of H 2 O 2 by the ferrous and ferric ions generated in the anolyte (0.05 M Na 2 SO 4 , pH ~ 2) from the oxidation of a galvanized steel mesh sacrificial electrode. The decolorization of the effluent was monitored by UV–Vis spectrophotometry, achieving a color removal of 99%. The degradation and mineralization of BB9 were followed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC). The removal of organic matter is reflected in the decrease of COD between 50 and 70% and BB9 mineralization between 40 and 50% with an average energy consumption of 24.5 kWhm −3 . The toxicity of the treated effluent was evaluated using the seed germination and root elongation of Lactuca sativa . The treated effluent showed moderate toxicity (GI = 29.4%), and an inhibition effect on root growth was evidenced. Both membranes showed a similar removal efficiency (~ 98%, p > 0.01). Therefore, the RO membrane proved to be a feasible and cost-effective alternative as a separator in a parallel plate electrochemical reactor. Graphical Abstract