Oxidation of Methylene Blue by Copper via a Heterogeneous Fenton-Like Process

In this study, copper was prepared through a green chemical reduction process using sodium ascorbate under atmospheric conditions. The product was micron sized and mainly formed by metallic copper with a minor presence of Cu₂O. The product was used as oxidant in the degradation of methylene blue in a heterogeneous Fenton-like process. The concentration of methylene blue in the solution was determined by the changes in absorbance at 665 nm with UV–VIS spectrometer. The effect of different parameters, such as copper loading, dye concentration, pH of the solution and temperature, was studied. Total oxidation was achieved after 42 min with 30 mg of copper at 60 °C and pH 3. The addition of H₂O₂ at 0.00116 M reduced the time for total oxidation to 10 min and the application of 40 kHz ultrasounds further reduced the time to 6 min.