Bimetallic-zeolite nanomaterials as catalysts for degradation of azorubine dye via Fenton-like oxidation

Solutions containing equal concentrations of each metal ion pair (Zn/Fe, Co/Fe, Ni/Fe) were simultaneously added to the zeolite NaY using the ion-exchange method. The resulting bimetallic-zeolites were used as heterogeneous catalysts for the Fenton-like reaction for azorubine dye degradation. The optimization of the reaction parameters was assessed using the Box-Behnken design by studying the influence of H 2 O 2 concentration, catalyst mass, and temperature. For each catalyst, the reaction kinetic was well fitted to the pseudo-first-order model. The best result was obtained with the (ZnFe) NaY catalyst obtaining 98 % of degradation within 60 min, with a rate constant of 0.0424 min −1 , followed by (CoFe)NaY and (NiFe)NaY, which achieved 89 % and 81 % of removal after 90 min, with rate constants of 0.0246 min −1 and 0.0162 min −1 , respectively. Finally, the highest efficiency of (ZnFe)NaY opens up its applicability for large-scale wastewater treatment, using low-cost materials which further underscores its commercial potential. • Zn/Fe, Co/Fe, and Ni/Fe were added to NaY zeolite via ion-exchange method. • The catalysts were used in the Fenton-like degradation of azorubine (AZB) dye. • H 2 O 2 concentration, catalyst mass, and temperature were optimized using the Box-Behnken design. • Reaction kinetics was successfully fitted with the pseudo-first-order model. • (ZnFe)NaY showed the highest efficiency, achieving 98 % degradation of AZB within 60 min.