Degradation of Orange G by Fenton-like reaction with Fe-impregnated biochar catalyst

[Display omitted] •FSB achieved 99.7% of OG removal efficiency within 2 h in Fenton-like oxidation.•Optimum ratio of H2O2:FSB:OG (g/L) for Fenton-like oxidation was 0.75:5:1.•OG removal by FSB showed initial induction followed by fast decomposition.•FSB use in Fenton-like oxidation offers greater benefits of efficiency, low-cost and reusability. This study was conducted to evaluate the catalytic activity of Fe-impregnated sugarcane biochar (FSB) for removing azo dye Orange G (OG) from solution under various Fenton-like oxidation conditions. The optimum molar Fe concentration for impregnation to achieve maximum catalytic activity of FSB in Fenton-like reaction with acceptable effluent Fe release was 0.25 M (163.4 Fe mg/g in FSB). High removal efficiency of 99.7% was achieved within 2 h of reaction at optimum conditions of 0.075 g/L H2O2, 0.5 g/L FSB for 0.1 g/L OG at initial pH 5.5 under 25 °C. For every 10 °C increase, the time for maximum OG degradation efficiency decreased by 0.5 h. The OG removal by FSB exhibited a slow induction reaction followed by fast OG decomposition. FSB can be used successively for at least 4 runs with >89.3% OG removal. The FSB was more economical, efficient, and recyclable than other conventional Fenton oxidation catalysts.