Abstract
Activated carbon-coated α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (nFe2O3@AC) were synthesized by a facile impregnation method to enhance hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) removal from water. The SEM images confirmed that α-Fe2O3 particles ranging from 90 to 500 nm were dispersedly loaded on the AC, which successfully amended Cr(VI) removal. The nFe2O3@AC was able to remove Cr(VI) with a 3 times higher efficiency of 94% in comparison with the AC. After adsorption, Cr(VI) reduction coupled with AC oxidation and low soluble (CrxFe1-x)(OH)3 precipitates were eventually formed. The Cr(VI) removal process was pH-dependent and could be well fitted to pseudo second-order kinetics. The nFe2O3@AC could be easily regenerated by 0.1 M HCl and showed a good stability as an 80% Cr(VI) removal efficiency was recorded after 4 desorption-adsorption cycles. In addition, this composite had a promising potential for repeated utilization because the AC of the adsorbed nFe2O3@AC could be refreshed and remodified with nFe2O3 after stripping all the nFe2O3 and (CrxFe1-x)(OH)3 precipitates from its surface by 1 M HCl and a Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 86% could be achieved. Our results demonstrated that the use of nFe2O3 is an efficient and promising method to modify AC and enhance Cr(VI) removal form aqueous solutions.
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