LAUSR

Abstract A hybrid film of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/cationic Fe(III)-porphyrin (Cht/PVA-FeTMPyP) was synthesized to act as a Fenton-like catalyst to decolorize methyl orange and methyl red azo dyes. The Cht/PVA-FeTMPyP film was characterized by different analytical and microscopy techniques, which indicated that the metalloporphyrin affects different properties of the hybrid film. Batch experiments revealed that the hybrid film exhibits enhanced catalytic activity towards dyes decolorization in the presence of H2O2 as compared to the “free” FeTMPyP. Fast decolorization rates as high as 90 min were observed for both azo dyes under mild conditions (pH 7 and room temperature), even at low concentrations of the catalyst in H2O2. After the decolorization, FTIR analysis showed that simple molecules are released as by-products. Moreover, the hybrid film performed well in cyclic runs without leaching out iron ions or losing its catalytic activity. All these features associated with its ease handling ranks the Cht/PVA-FeTMPyP hybrid film as a promising heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for the decomposition of azo dyes in water.