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Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Ferrous Iron-Embedded Schwertmannite for Cr(VI) Reduction–Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions

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Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that schwertmannite (Sch) exhibits good adsorption performance for Cr(VI). In order to further enhance the ability to remove Cr(VI), this study prepared a novel composite (Fe(II)@Sch) by embedding ferrous iron (Fe(II)) on Sch. The adsorption performance of Cr(VI) on Fe(II)@Sch was investigated by batch adsorption experiments, and a possible removal mechanism was proposed through characterization analysis. The results showed that the optimal Fe/Sch ratio for Fe(II)@Sch preparation was 120 mmol/g. Fe(II)@Sch enabled efficient and rapid adsorption of Cr(VI). The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of Fe(II)@Sch was 4.17 mmol/g at pH 6.0, which was 69% higher when compared to Sch, and 81% of the maximum adsorption could be achieved within 1 min. The embedding of Fe(II) led to a decrease in the particle size and an increase in the specific surface area (SSA) of Sch, which could be considered favorable for adsorption. After four repeated cycles 93.3% of the original Cr(VI) adsorption capacity was still maintained. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the interaction between Fe(II)@Sch and Cr(VI) followed an adsorption–reduction mechanism. The results demonstrated that Fe(II)@Sch could be used as an effective material for removing Cr(VI) from wastewater.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • The optimal Fe/Sch ratio for Fe(II)@Sch preparation was 120 mmol/g.

  • Maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of Fe(II)@Sch was 4.17 mmol/g at optimum pH 6.

  • Adsorption of Cr(VI) on Fe(II)@Sch reached 81% of maximum adsorption within 1 min.

  • Interaction between Fe(II)@Sch and Cr(VI) follows adsorption–reduction mechanism.

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Data availability

The data and materials used or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41907131 and 52000181) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, CUGB (590122117).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Zhuo Zhang, Ziwen Song, Canyu Luo, Huafu Zhao, Likun Yang, Houbo Jia & Haochong Huang

  2. Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, 100035, China

    Zhuo Zhang, Ziwen Song & Huafu Zhao

  3. Department of Water Ecology and Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China

    Xiaohui Zhao

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  1. Zhuo Zhang
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  2. Ziwen Song
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  3. Canyu Luo
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  5. Likun Yang
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Contributions

ZZ: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing—review & editing. ZS: Conceptualization, Experiments, Data methodology, Writing—original draft. CL: Experiments, Data methodology, Data analysis. HZ: Conceptualization. LY: Data methodology, Data recording. HJ: Data analysis, Data curation. HH: Data analysis, Writing editing; XZ: Data analysis.

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Correspondence to Zhuo Zhang.

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Zhang, Z., Song, Z., Luo, C. et al. Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Ferrous Iron-Embedded Schwertmannite for Cr(VI) Reduction–Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions. Int J Environ Res 18, 16 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00570-0

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