Cu-Zn powders as potential Cr(VI) adsorbents for drinking water

This work examines the possibility of applying CuZn alloys as a reducing medium for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from drinking water. In an effort to develop a route for producing powders of CuZn alloys under mild conditions and investigate the optimum composition for such application, a series of alloys in the form of powders were prepared, by a sequence of Cu and Zn ball-milling and low temperature annealing. Batch Cr(VI) removal tests, performed to evaluate and compare the efficiency of the products under typical natural water parameters (pH 7 and natural-like water), indicated that the best performing material have a composition around 50 wt% Cu. The dominant reduction mechanisms are both the corrosion of the alloy surface and the electron transfer to the solution. The behavior of granulated CuZn media was tested in rapid-scale column tests using the commercial KDF which verified the high potential of CuZn alloys in Cr(VI) removal. Nevertheless, Cu and Zn leaching problems should be also considered.