Photocatalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium Induced by Photolysis of Ferric/tartrate Complex

Abstract

Photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in ferric-tartrate system under irradiation of visible light was investigated. Effects of light resources, initial pH value and initial concentration of various reactants on Cr(VI) photocatalytic reduction were studied. Photoreaction kinetics was discussed and a possible photochemical pathway was proposed. The results indicate that Fe(III)-tartrate system is able to rapidly and effectively photocatalytically reduce Cr(VI) utilizing visible light. Initial pH variations resulte in the concentration changes of Fe(III)-tartrate complex in this system, and pH at 3.0 is optimal for Cr(VI) photocatalytic reduction. Efficiency of Cr(VI) photocatalytic reduction increases with increasing initial concentrations of Cr(VI), Fe(III) and tartrate. Kinetics analysis indicates that initial Fe(III) concentration affects Cr(VI) photoreduction most significantly.

Catalytic activity of Ni complexed aminoclay towards the reduction of Cr(V), p-nitrophenol and fluorescein dye

“…Hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic but the trivalent chromium is less toxic (Feng et al 2012). Hence, it is necessary to reduce the Cr(VI) into Cr(III).…”

“…Chemical reduction is a simple method with maximum efficiency among the various techniques available. Reduction of Cr(VI) was carried out in the presence of Fe(III)-tartrate catalyst system (Feng et al 2012). Huang et al (2012) reported about the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) using Pd nanoparticle immobilized electrospun fiber.…”