Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation with Natural Clay for Textile Levafix Dark Blue Dye Removal from Aqueous Effluent

The ever-increasing technological advancement and industrialization are leading to a massive discharge of hazardous waste into the aquatic environment, calling on scientists and researchers to introduce environmentally benign solutions. In this regard, the current work is based on introducing Fuller’s earth, which is regarded as an environmentally benign material, as an innovative Fenton oxidation technology to treat effluent loaded with Levafix Dark Blue dye. Initially, Fuller’s earth was chemically and thermally activated, then subjected to characterization using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) augmented with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). This detailed the morphologies of the samples and the functional groups on the catalyst leading to the reaction with the dye. Fuller’s earth, augmented with hydrogen peroxide, was then introduced as a photo-Fenton oxidation system under UV illumination for dye oxidation. Moreover, a response surface mythological analysis was applied to optimize the most effective operational parameters. The experimental data revealed that the optimal Fuller’s earth dose corresponded to 1.02 mg/L using the optimal H2O2 of 818 mg/L at pH 3.0, and the removal efficiency reached 99%. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters were investigated, and the data revealed the positive ∆G′ and negative ∆S′ values that reflect the non-spontaneous nature of oxidation at high temperatures. Additionally, the negative ∆H′ values suggest the occurrence of the endothermic oxidation reaction. Furthermore, the reaction followed the second-order kinetic model. Finally, the catalyst stability was investigated, and reasonable removal efficiency was attained (73%) after the successive use of Fuller’s earth reached six cyclic uses.