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Cr-containing wastewater treatment based on Cr self-catalysis: a critical review

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Abstract

Chromium (Cr), as a transition metal material with multiple redox states, has exhibited the catalysis toward Fenton-like reactions over a wide pH range. Although it is not sensible to add Cr reagents as catalysts due to its toxicity, it is highly promising to remediate Cr-containing wastewater through Cr-initiated advanced oxidation processes (Cr-initiated AOPs), which are clean and low-cost. Moreover, the widely concerned Cr-complexes, considered as obstacles in the remediation process, can be effectively destroyed by AOPs. Cr self-catalysis is defined as Cr species is both substrate and catalyst. However, the full understanding of Cr self-catalysis, including the generation of intermediates Cr(IV)/Cr(V), the synergetic effects with co-existing ions, and the accumulation of toxic Cr(VI), remains a challenge for the practical application of Cr-initiated AOPs. In this review, relevant researches on Cr self-catalysis during Cr-initiated AOPs are summarized. Specifically, the Cr-Fenton-like reaction, Cr substituted materials, and Cr-sulfite reactions are explored as key mechanisms contributing to Cr self-catalysis. Moreover, Cr transformation processes, including synchronously Cr removal, Cr redox reactions, and Cr(VI) accumulation, in AOPs-based synergistic systems are systematically analyzed. Detailed approaches for the detection of active species in AOPs-based systems are also presented. The primary objective of this review is to explore the application of AOPs for Cr-containing wastewater remediation based on Cr self-catalysis, and provide fundamental insights and valuable information for future research on Cr-initiated AOPs.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22278247) and the Shandong Natural Science Foundation (China) (No. ZR2020MB092).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China

    Manshu Zhao, Xinhua Wang, Shuguang Wang & Mingming Gao

  2. Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China

    Xinhua Wang, Shuguang Wang & Mingming Gao

  3. Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China

    Xinhua Wang, Shuguang Wang & Mingming Gao

  4. Weihai Research Institute of Industrial Technology of Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China

    Shuguang Wang

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  1. Manshu Zhao
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  2. Xinhua Wang
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  3. Shuguang Wang
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  4. Mingming Gao
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Correspondence to Mingming Gao.

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Highlights

• Cr self-catalysis behaviors during Cr-initiated AOPs were described.

• Cr transformation in AOPs-based synergistic systems was reviewed.

• Discussed detection methods for active species related to Cr-initiated AOPs systems.

• This review provided insights into Cr self-catalysis and its applications.

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Zhao, M., Wang, X., Wang, S. et al. Cr-containing wastewater treatment based on Cr self-catalysis: a critical review. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 18, 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1761-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1761-1

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