Photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium with illuminated amorphous FeOOH

In this study, photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] by amorphous FeOOH was investigated with variations in FeOOH dosage, pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, purging gas, organic compounds and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration. Reduction and adsorption were identified as important processes for the removal of Cr(VI). FeOOH dosage was also an important parameter for the removal of Cr(VI). As the FeOOH dosage increased up to 0.5 g/L, the removal of Cr(VI) was continuously enhanced and then decreased above 0.5 g/L due to increased blockage of the incident UV light. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) decreased with increasing pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration. While the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) increased with purging of nitrogen gas compared to that of oxygen gas because of less competition between dissolved oxygen and Cr(VI) with the electron in the conduction band of FeOOH. The photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) was increased in the presence of citric acid and phenol, while it was decreased in the presence of EDTA and oxalic acid. The reaction rate constant (kobs) was decreased from 0.2141 to 0.0026 1/min and the value of electrical energy per order (EEo) was increased from 22.41 to 1846.15 (kWh/m3) with increasing initial Cr(VI) concentration from 10 to 50 mg/L, respectively. Finally, proper photocatalytic activity was maintained even after five successive cycles.