Enhanced removal of trace Cr(VI) from neutral and alkaline aqueous solution by FeCo bimetallic nanoparticle

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Qin, Nannan
Zhang, Ya
Zhou, Hongjian
Geng, Zhigang
Liu, Gang
Zhang, Yunxia
Zhao, Huijun
Wang, Guozhong
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2016
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

The reactivity of zero valent iron (Fe0) for removing Cr(VI) is self-inhibiting under neutral and alkaline conditions, due to the precipitation of ferrous hydroxide on the surface of Fe0. To overcome this difficulty, we incorporated a second metal (Co) into Fe0 to form FeCo bimetallic nanoparticles (FeCo BNPs), which can achieve higher activity and significant improvement in the reaction kinetics for the removal of Cr(VI) compared with Fe0. The FeCo BNPs were synthesized by a hydrothermal reduction method without using any templates. The characterization analysis indicated that the products were highly uniform in large scale with 120–140 nm size in diameter. The obtained FeCo BNPs exhibited a remarkable removal ability for Cr(VI) in the pH range of 5.3–10.0. Especially, FeCo BNPs were able to reduce trace Cr(VI) (1.0 mg L−1, pH = 7.5) down to about 0.025 mg L−1 within 1 h. XPS analysis confirmed that Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) by FeCo BNPs, while Fe and Co was oxidized, implying a chemical reduction process. The enhanced removal of trace Cr(VI) could be originated from the introduction of Co, which not only served as a protecting agent against surface corrosion by galvanic cell effect, but also enhanced the efficient flow of electron transfer between iron and Cr(VI). All the results primarily imply that FeCo BNPs can be employed as high efficient material for wastewater treatment.

Journal Title

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

472

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Physical sciences

Chemical sciences

Other chemical sciences not elsewhere classified

Engineering

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections