Preparation of nano-ferrous sulfide modified with phytate for efficient Cr(VI) removal in aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT

Phytate-modified nano-ferrous sulfide (IP₆-nano-FeS) was successfully prepared to overcome the low efficiency of heavy metal removal by nano-ferrous sulfide (nano-FeS) due to the agglomeration and easy oxidization of this reducing agent. The results showed that IP₆-nano-FeS improved the dispersion of nano-FeS particles, and the maximum Cr(VI) removal reached 436.94 ± 25.40 mg/g. A more novel contribution of this study is that Cr(VI) removal by IP₆-nano-FeS was enhanced in the presence of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and O₂. The removal efficiency increased by ∼10% and ∼8.5% in the presence of conventional cations (Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺: 2–10 g/L) and O₂, respectively. The application potential of IP₆-nano-FeS for the rapid removal of Cr(VI)-contamination in the presence of aerobic and coexisting cations was confirmed in this study.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Cr (VI)
• ferrous sulfide
• phytate
• phytic acid
• reduction

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [Shiyin Li], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number No. 41931292,No. 51779079,No. 51979137].