Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) nanocomposite for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution

S. Ponmani and C. Udayasoorian Abstract -A new class of nano scale zero valent iron (nZVI) particles supported on activated carbon (AC) were synthesized and the feasibility of using nanocomposite (AC+nZVI) for the removal of Cr(VI) in water was investigated through laboratory batch test. Nanocomposite was synthesized by impregnating carbon with ferrous sulfate followed by chemical reduction with NaBH4. The XRD and SEM examinations applied for determination of particle size and characterization of produced nanoparticles. Batch experiments were performed to investigate the effects of initial Cr(VI) concentration, nanocomposite concentration, pH of solution and contact time variation on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI). The chromium removal efficiency was found to be increased with decrease in initial pH of solution and increased with nanocomposite dosage and contact time. Nanocomposite presented an outstanding ability to remove Cr(VI) due to large surface area, low particle size and high surface activity. The iron nanoparticle technology may thus offer an economically and environmentally sustainable and unique solution to one of the most vexing environmental problems.