Project's information

Project's title Study on synthesis of “green oxidant” Ferrate (VI) by electrochemical method and application for wastewater treatment”
Project’s code KHCBHH.01/22-24
Research hosting institution Institute of Chemistry
Project leader’s name Dr. Mai Thi Thanh Thuy
Project duration 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Project’s budget 1,500 million VND
Classify Grade B
Goal and objectives of the project

- Synthesis of ferrate(VI) solution by electrochemical method, produce a model to manufacture equipment for preparing ferrate (VI) oxidant by electrochemical method on a laboratory scale.
- Application of ferrate(VI) to treat some toxic substances in wastewater.

Main results

Theoretical results
- Ferrate(VI) solution was successfully synthesized by the constant current method. The optimal synthesis conditions were using ductile iron anode, 14 M NaOH electrolyte, current density of 40 mA/cm², S/V ratio of 0.08 cm-1 and electrolysis time of about 6 hours.
- The stability of ferrate(VI) solution depended on factors including temperature, NaOH concentration and initial ferrate concentration. As the temperature and initial ferrate concentration increased, the stability of ferrate decreased, conversely, as the NaOH concentration increased, the stability of ferrate increased. The ferrate solution is optimally stored at 4oC and NaOH concentration of 14-16 M.
- The presence of oxidizing agents KIO4, K2S2O8 and NaClO4 increased the stability of ferrate solution. Comparing the stability of ferrate solutions in the presence of oxidants, the ferrate solution containing KIO4 is the most stable with the lowest decomposition. The KIO4 concentration of 0.3% was the optimal concentration to increase the stability of the ferrate solution. 
- The treatment of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and reactive red 195 (RR195) by ferrate(VI) depended on pH and the molar ratio Fe(VI): MB/MO/RR195. The optimum pH value was 3, and at pH 3 the MB treatment efficiency reached about 93% after 5 min when the molar ratio Fe(VI): MB was greater than 7.5:1, the MO and RR195 treatment efficiencies reached 99.3% and 96.3 % after 3 min when the molar ratio Fe(VI): MO and Fe(VI): RR195 was greater than 5.1: 1.0 and 18.0:1.0, respectively.
Applied results
- A electrochemical ferrate(VI) preparation device on a laboratory-scale with a capacity of 1 liter/h was fabricated, producing a ferrate(VI) solution with a concentration of 1200 mg/L. The synthesized ferrate is capable of effectively treating dyes in textile wastewater such as methylene blue, methyl orange and reactive red 195.

Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results

- Ferrate(VI) solution was successfully synthesized by electrochemical method on a ductile iron anode, and the optimal synthesis conditions were found.
- Ferrate solution was studied to increase the stability, in which ferrate solution containing 0.3% KIO4 was the most stable with the lowest decomposition.
- MB, MO and RR195 were treated by ferrate solution with high removal efficiency in a short time of 3-5 minutes.

Products of the project - Scientific papers in referred journals:
1.    Thi Thanh Thuy Mai, Thi Van Anh Nguyen, Thi Binh Phan, Truong Giang Le, Ductile Iron: A Low-Cost Optimal Anode Material for Electrochemical Generation of Ferrate(VI), Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 2023 170 083510. (Q1, IF = 3.9)
2.    Thi Van Anh Nguyen, Thi Thanh Thuy Mai, Thi Binh Phan, Huu Quang Tran and Minh Quy Bui, Ferrate(VI) green oxidant: electrochemical generation, self-decomposition, and application for reactive red 195 azo dye treatment, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 2024; 99: 2454–2463 (Q1, IF = 2.8)
3.    Thi Thanh Thuy Mai, Thi Van Anh Nguyen, Thi Binh Phan, Effect of anode passivation on ferrate(VI) electro generation using ductile iron anode and application for methylene blue treatment, Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (2024) 54:1783–1794. (Q2, IF = 2.4)
4.    Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Phan Thi Binh, Mai Thi Xuan, Mai Thi Thanh Thuy, The effect of NaOH concentration on ferrate electrosynthesis, Vietnam J.Chem. 2024;62:437–445.(Q3 Scopus, IF =1.3)
5.    Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Phan Thi Binh, Tran Huu Quang, Nguyen The Duyen, Phan Hoang Yen, Mai Thi Thanh Thuy, Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (Scopus, VAST 1) (accepted).
6.    Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Mai Thi Thanh Thuy, Phan Thi Binh, Study on electrochemical properties and synthesis process of ferrate(VI) solution on gray cast iron anode in concentrated alkaline solution, Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (accepted). 
- Technological products: 
• 01 Process for synthesizing ferrate(VI) solution by electrochemical method, 
2 L/batch, Ferrate (VI) concentration of 1200 mg/L. 
• 01 Equipment for preparing ferrate by electrochemical method on a laboratory scale with capacity of 2 L/h and prepared ferrate concentration of 1200 mg/L. (Currently located at the Electrochemistry Department - Institute of Chemistry)
Images of project
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