Summary: | Biochar and ferromagnetic biochar obtained from the pyrolysis of dried mango seeds and modified using a hydrothermal method were used as catalyst for the heterogeneous degradation of indigo carmine in an aqueous medium. These prepared biochars were characterized using different techniques: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analyses of the results revealed the presence of iron oxide in the form of magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) in the catalyst. The catalytic tests carried out with this composite material showed a significant degradation of indigo carmine. The maximum degradation of indigo carmine in the aqueous solution was reached after 240 min of agitation. The Fenton degradation process using irradiation with a 100 W electric lamp and hydrogen peroxide (concentration 4 mol/L) showed the best results at pH = 3. From this study, it emerged that the second-order kinetic model better described the degradation process, and it gave lower half-lives compared to those obtained with the first-order kinetic law. The study also showed that ferromagnetic biochar could be prepared from mango seeds and used for the degradation of indigo carmine in an aqueous solution.
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