Enhancement of methylene blue removal by anodic oxidation using BDD electrode combined with adsorption onto sawdust

Studies on the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions by anodic oxidation (AO) using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode, adsorption onto sawdust, and combined treatment have been undertaken. The results proved that AO presents a high efficiency in removing both color and COD in a wide pH interval. The total mineralization of the dye solution was performed in 6 h, which corresponds to relatively high-energy consumption. On the other hand, high sawdust dosage (12 g·L^?1) was needed to ensure 98% of color and 81% of COD removal. Combining AO and adsorption onto sawdust constitute a very interesting technology. For instance, AO for 1 h followed by sorption permits a reduction in energy consumption by 80 W·h·g_COD^?1, a reduction of more than 24 times the adsorbent dose and an enhancement of color and COD removal, indicating that sawdust is efficient in removing not only the MB initial molecules but also the electrogenerated by-products.