Nanoscale zero-valent iron supported by attapulgite produced at different acid modification: Synthesis mechanism and the role of silicon on Cr(VI) removal

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The attapulgite of different morphologies and mineral compositions were successfully obtained following the treatment by HCl and HF with different concentrations. Variations of morphologies, elemental and mineral components of the pristine and modified attapulgite were investigated and assessed in detail by a series of characterization methods. The SEM-EDS results indicated significant variations on the contents and morphologies of silicon after acid modification. The Cr(VI) removal efficiencies under pristine and modified attapulgite-supported nZVI composites were evaluated with the removal rate in case of 0.5HAT-nZVI being 69.2% more superior than that of 6FAT-nZVI. The reaction kinetic is well fitted with pseudo second order kinetics model. The correlation analysis indicated that Cr(VI) removal efficiency was positively correlated with the content of active silicon in the attapulgite-nZVI composites (R2 = 0.979∗∗). Additionally, the reduction of Cr(VI) is more likely to occur in silicon-rich composites based on the analysis of XPS spectra and Cr concentration changes, which were mainly attributed to the enhanced Si–O–Fe coupling mediated by silicon. Attapulgite with more exposure sites of silicon enhanced the Cr(VI) reduction process and promoted crystallization of the reaction products. Simultaneously, the nZVI consumption caused by oxidation and aggregation were improved by silicon in attapulgite. It is concluded that silicon played a significant role on Cr(VI) removal through the reductive precipitation by Si–O–Fe coupling.