In situ reductive regeneration of zerovalent iron nanoparticles immobilized on cellulose for atom efficient Cr(VI) adsorption

Zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) (11.8 +/- 0.2% w/w) immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose (C-nZVI) were synthesized and studied for Cr(VI) sorption. The material showed good atom economy for Cr(VI) adsorption (562.8 mg g(-1) of nZVI). Oxidation of cellulose to cellulose dialdehyde leads to in situ regeneration of nZVI which is responsible for the atom efficient Cr(VI) sorption by C-nZVI.