Reduction behavior of chromium(VI) with oxalic acid in aqueous solution

The direct Cr(VI) reduction process by oxalic acid was conducted. The existence of Cr(VI) in the reaction medium was measured by software Visual MINTEQ and the concentration of Cr(VI) was measured by ICP-OES. The results showed that the Cr(VI) was efficiently reduced by oxalic acid at high reaction temperature and high dosage of oxalic acid. The reduced product, Cr(III), was easily generated stable complex compounds (Cr(HC₂O₄)₃) with oxalate, which displayed a negative effect on the reduction process. The high reaction temperature and high acidic medium could destroy the stable structure of a complex compound to release oxalate, and facilitate the reduction of Cr(VI). Generally, the results showed in this paper provided a versatile strategy for Cr(VI) reduction and exhibited a bright application future for real wastewater treatment.