Removal of Chromium(VI) and Chromium(III) from Aqueous Solution by Grainless Stalk of Corn

Abstract

Grainless stalk of corn (GLSC) was tested for removal of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from aqueous solution at different pH, contact time, temperature, and chromium/adsorbent ratio. The results show that the optimum pH for removal of Cr(VI) is 0.84, while the optimum pH for removal of Cr(III) is 4.6. The adsorption processes of both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) onto GLSC were found to follow first-order kinetics. Values of k _ads of 0.037 and 0.018 min⁻¹ were obtained for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively. The adsorption capacity of GLSC was calculated from the Langmuir isotherm as 7.1 mg g⁻¹ at pH 0.84 for Cr(VI), and as 7.3 mg g⁻¹ at pH 4.6 for Cr(III), at 20°C. At the optimum pH for Cr(VI) removal, Cr(VI) reduces to Cr(III). EPR spectroscopy shows the presence of Cr(V) + Cr(III)-bound-GLSC at short contact times and adsorbed Cr(III) as the final oxidation state of Cr(VI)-treated GLSC. The results indicate that, at pH ≈ 1, GLSC can completely remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution through an adsorption-coupled reduction mechanism to yield adsorbed Cr(III) and the less toxic aqueous Cr(III), which can be further removed at pH 4.6.

Keywords:

• Adsorption-coupled reduction
• agricultural waste biomass
• chromium removal
• waste water treatment

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), the National Agency for Science Promotion (ANPCyT) and the National University of Rosario (UNR), for financial support. We thank also Mr. L. Brambilla for donation of grain-less stalk of corn.

Notes

^a Reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was not considered in the calculation of adsorption capacity.