Title: Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon impregnated with goethite and magnetite for dye removal by the combined action of adsorption and oxidation

Authors: Maria Eduarda Bragião; Gilberto da Cunha Gonçalves; Tamires Roberta Damascena dos Santos; Márcia Teresinha Veit

Addresses: Laboratory of Chemical Process, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Toledo, Brazil ' Laboratory of Chemical Process, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Toledo, Brazil ' Laboratory of Chemical Process, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Toledo, Brazil ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Western Parana State University, Toledo, Brazil

Abstract: In this work, methodologies for the precipitation of goethite (G) and magnetite (M) iron oxides on activated carbon (AC0) were applied to prepare two composites (G/AC and M/AC) to remove the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye by adsorption/oxidation processes. SEM and EDS showed that the iron oxides partially covered the surface of the AC0, giving a small decrease in the specific surface areas and total pore volume of composites. The FTIR and XRD results showed the presence of goethite on the surface of the G/AC composite (4.23 mgFeg^-1), and a mixture of goethite and magnetite oxides in M/AC (30.77 mgFeg^-1). The RB5 dye adsorption and oxidation experiments were carried out in initial pH of 3.0 and 6.0. The composites were effective in removing the RB5 dye in the presence of H₂O₂, since they were able to combine the adsorptive characteristics of AC with the oxidative capacity of iron oxides.

Keywords: oxidation; adsorption; heterogeneous Fenton; iron oxide; composite.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2026.151841

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2026 Vol.39 No.2, pp.194 - 213

Accepted: 27 Nov 2024
Published online: 23 Feb 2026 *

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