A composite sorbent (GAC-QPVP) was prepared by coating poly(4-vinylpyridine) onto a granular activated carbon, followed by cross-linking and quaternization processes. The sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, point of zero charge measurement, and BET analysis. Batch experiments with variable pH, ionic strength, and concentrations of Cr(VI), sorbent, and competing anions were conducted to evaluate the selective sorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The results showed that Cr(VI) sorption rates could be described by a reversible second-order kinetics, and equilibrium uptake of Cr(VI) increased with decreasing pH, decreasing ionic strength, and increasing sorbent concentration. The estimated maximum equilibrium uptake of chromium was 53.7 mg/g at pH = 2.25, 30.7 mg/g at pH = 3.65, and 18.9 mg/g at pH = 6.03, much higher than the maximum capacity of PVP-coated silica gel, an adsorbent for Cr examined previously. When compared with the untreated granular activated carbon, sorption onto GAC-QPVP resulted in much less Cr(VI) reduction and subsequent release of Cr(III). The effect of phosphate, sulfate, and nitrate was minor on the selective sorption of Cr(VI). An ion exchange model that was linked with aqueous speciation chemistry described Cr(VI) sorption reasonably well as a function of pH, ionic strength, and Cr(VI) concentration. Model simulations suggested that sorbed Cr(VI) was partially reduced to Cr(III) on the sorbent when pH was less than 4. The presence of Cr(III) on the sorbent was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. Overall, the study has demonstrated that GAC-QPVP can effectively remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under a wide range of experimental conditions, without significant Cr(III) release associated with the virgin GAC treatment.

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