Full Factorial Experimental Design-Based Yates’ Algorithm for Photodegradation of Anionic Dye Using CoFe2O4 Nanocatalyst

In this paper, cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation method. CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were used as a catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of azo dye in an aqueous solution. Acid Yellow 23 (AY23) was used as a model dye. The CoFe2O4 catalyst was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). A batch photoreactor with a capacity of 1L, equipped with a lamp UV-C (15 W) was used. A statistical experimental design based on Yates’ Algorithm was exerted to measure the effect of these four factors such as pH, catalyst amount, H2O2 concentration, and temperature at two levels. The (2^4 ) full factorial experimental design was utilized in this process. The significant effects of each factor and interaction on the process were determined using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method. A pseudo-first-order reaction with a constant rate (k= 0.048 min−1 ) was obtained for the photocatalytic degradation reaction.