Ultrasound enhanced heterogeneous activation of peroxydisulfate by bimetallic Fe-Co/GAC catalyst for the degradation of Acid Orange 7 in water

Bimetallic Fe-Co/GAC (granular activated carbon) was prepared and used as heterogeneous catalyst in the ultrasound enhanced heterogeneous activation of peroxydisulfate (PS, S₂O₈^2-) process. The effect of initial pH, PS concentration, catalyst addition and stirring rate on the decolorization of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) was investigated. The results showed that the decolorization efficiency increased with an increase in PS concentration from 0.3 to 0.5 g/L and an increase in catalyst amount from 0.5 to 0.8 g/L. But further increase in PS concentration and catalyst addition would result in an unpronounced increase in decolorization efficiency. In the range of 300 to 900 r/min, stirring rate had little effect on AO7 decolorization. The catalyst stability was evaluated by measuring decolorization efficiency for four successive cycles.