Removal of Cr(VI) from Wastewater Using Graphene Oxide Chitosan Microspheres Modified with α-FeO(OH)

Graphene oxide and chitosan microspheres modified with alpha-FeO(OH) (alpha-FeO(OH)/GOCS) are prepared and utilized to investigate the performance and mechanism for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions and the possibility of Fe secondary pollution. Batch experiments were carried out to identify the effects of pH, mass, and volume ratio (m/v), coexisting ions, time (t), temperature (T), and Cr(VI) initial concentration (C-0) on Cr(VI) removal, and to evaluate adsorption kinetics, equilibrium isotherm, and thermodynamics, as well as the possibility of Fe secondary pollution. The results showed that Cr(VI) adsorption increased with C-0, t, and T but decreased with increasing pH and m/v. Coexisting ions inhibited Cr(VI) adsorption, and this inhibition increased with increasing concentration. The influence degrees of anions and cations on the Cr(VI) adsorption in descending order were SO42- > PO42- > NO3- > Cl- and Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Mn2+, respectively. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was the highest at 24.16 mg/g, and the removal rate was 97.69% under pH = 3, m/v = 1.0 g/L, T = 298.15 K, and C-0 = 25 mg/L. Cr(VI) adsorption was well fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and was spontaneous and endothermic. The best fit of Cr(VI) adsorption with the Langmuir and Sips models indicated that it was a monolayer and heterogeneous adsorption. The fitted maximum adsorption capacity was 63.19 mg/g using the Sips model under 308.15 K. Cr(VI) removal mainly included electrostatic attraction between Cr(VI) oxyanions with surface Fe-OH2+, and the adsorbed Cr(VI) was partially reduced to Cr(III) and then precipitated on the surface. In addition, there was no Fe secondary pollution during Cr(VI) adsorption.

Automated summary

In this study, alpha-FeO(OH)/GOCS microspheres were prepared and used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The effects of various factors on the adsorption process were investigated, and it was found that pH, mass and volume ratio, coexisting ions, time, temperature, and initial concentration of Cr(VI) all influenced the removal efficiency. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was found to be 24.16 mg/g, and the removal rate was 97.69% under specific experimental conditions. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and was spontaneous and endothermic. No secondary pollution of Fe was observed during the Cr(VI) adsorption process.