Nowadays, nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) has been extensively applied for the decontamination of various pollutants, but passivation of nZVI severely affects its reactivity in use. In this study, ultrasound (US)-assisted catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by an acid mine drainage based nZVI (AMD-nZVI) coupling with FeS2 system was systematically examined. Results show that the presence of FeS2 and US induced a synergistic enhancement of Cr(VI) removal by AMD-nZVI. Nearly 98% of Cr(VI) removal was achieved by AMD-nZVI/FeS2/US process within 60 min under optimal reaction conditions. Several coexisting substances with lower concentration including Pb(II), Ni(II), bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,4-diclorophenol (2,4-DCP) could be effectively removed in simultaneous manner with Cr(VI) removal. The inhibitory order of water matrix species on Cr(VI) removal was NO3- > PO43- > HCO3- > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Cl-, and a serious suppression effect was induced by humic acid (HA). Addition of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid (CA) could enhance Cr(VI) removal rate. An enhanced reaction mechanism was proposed, which involved the regeneration of more Fe2+ and H+ by AMD-nZVI/FeS2/US process, leading to the reduction of Cr(VI) by AMD-nZVI and FeS2 into Cr(III) species inculding Cr2O3 and Cr(OH)3. This study well demonstrates that AMD-nZVI/FeS2/US process is considered as a potential candidate for the remediation of Cr(VI) in real wasterwater.
Keywords: Cr(VI); Enhanced removal; FeS(2); Waste utilization; nZVI.
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