Removal of leucomalachite green in an aqueous solution by the electron beam process

Abstract In this study, the electron beam (EB) process is employed to remove leucomalachite green (LMG) in an aqueous solution. Besides, the effects of specific factors, i.e., initial pH, absorbed dose, LMG concentration and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration on the removal efficiency, are investigated. The maximum degradation efficiency of LMG (98.2 %) is attained at a pH of 6, absorbed dose of 4 kGy, an LMG concentration of 4 mg/L and an H2O2 concentration of 8 mM. Significant degradation pathways are proposed by LC/MS analysis and theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Our results also indicate that LMG is toxic to microcrustacean Daphia magna, with 48 h- and 96 h median lethal concentrations (LD50) values of 0.617 mg/L and 0.156 mg/L, respectively. An environmentally friendly EB process can degrade a solution of LMG or other organic compounds.