Removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater by FeOOH supported on Amberlite IR120 resin

Abstract

Resin-supported FeOOH (R-FeOOH) was synthesized by the chemical reaction of Fe³⁺-exchange resin with H₂O₂. R-FeOOH was characterized with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The optimum R-FeOOH was synthesized in the presence of 0.5 mol/L Fe³⁺ and 0.09 mol/L H₂O₂. Then, R-FeOOH was employed to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions. The results indicated that the removal efficiencies of Cr(VI) were all over 98% for initial Cr(VI) concentration of 20.0 mg/L at initial pH of 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0, with R-FeOOH dose of 15.0 g/L after reaction for 120 min. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency can attain 100% at pH 3.0 after reaction for 90 min. Besides, a test on the reuse of the R-FeOOH was conducted. The removal of Cr(VI) by R-FeOOH was through adsorption, ion exchange, and reduction. R-FeOOH can be an effective agent for Cr(VI) removal from wastewater.

Keywords:

• Cr(VI) wastewater
• Resin
• FeOOH
• Supported
• R-FeOOH
• Removal efficiency

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51008084), Guangzhou Pearl River Nova Program (No. 2012J2200097) and Development Program for Outstanding Young Teachers in Guangdong Province (No. Yq2013055).