Degradation of the Reactive Blue 4 Dye in Aqueous Solution Using Zero-Valent Copper Nanoparticles

The degradation of the Reactive Blue 4 (RB4) dye by zero-valent copper nanoparticles (nZVC) was investigated. Degradation rates of approximately 90% were reached within 10 minutes of reaction. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis shows that the dye molecules undergo mineralization, therefore indicating the degradation process is oxidative. Experimental tests, held in the presence of tertiary butyl alcohol, acting as a hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) captor, and copper (I) oxide, demonstrated that the reaction mechanism is governed by the concentration of Cu (I) instead of ∙OH. The second-order kinetics model was the most appropriate one to explain the experimental data. Higher values of the reaction rate constant were obtained in higher temperatures and higher nZVC doses and in lower RB4 initial concentrations. The initial pH in more acidic conditions (3 and 4) was kinetically more favorable to the degradation reaction; the activation energy was estimated to be 42 kJ mol −1 based on calculations using the experimental data. Finally, the recovered nanoparticles were utilized on a new reaction cycle, showing a small loss of their efficiency and catalytic activity.