Enhanced Removal of Hexavalent Chromium in the Presence of H2O2 in Frozen Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

The reductive transformation of Cr(VI)) to Cr(III) by H2O2 in ice was compared with that in water. The reduction of Cr(VI) was significant at 20 degrees C (ice), whereas the reduction efficiency was very low at 25 degrees C (water). This enhanced reduction of Cr(VI) in ice was observed over a wide range of H2O2 concentration (20-1000 mu M), pH (3-11), and freezing temperature (-10 to 30 degrees C). The observed molar ratio of consumed [H2O2] to reduced [Cr(VI)] in ice was in close agreement with the theoretical (stoichiometric) molar ratio (1.5) for H2O2-mediated Cr(VI) reduction through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The synergistic increase in Cr(VI) reduction in water by increasing the H2O2 and proton concentrations confirms that the freeze concentration of both H2O2 and protons in the liquid brine is primarily responsible for the enhanced Cr(VI) reduction in ice. In comparison, the one-electron reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(V) and subsequent reoxidation of Cr(V) to Cr(VI) is the major reaction mechanism in aqueous solution. The reduction efficiency of Cr(VI) by H2O2 in the frozen aqueous electroplating wastewater was similar to that in the frozen aqueous deionized water, which verifies the enhanced reduction of Cr(VI) by freezing in real Cr(VI)-contaminated aquatic systems.