Adsorptive Removal of Low-Concentration Cr(VI) in Aqueous Solution by Mg-Al Layered Double Oxides

To explore the adsorption removal mechanism of Mg-Al layered double oxides (LDOs) for low-concentration (≤ 5 mg L^-1) Cr(VI), the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms and its influencing factors were studied by batch experiments. Cr(VI) adsorption reached equilibrium after 6, 11 and 15 h for initial Cr(VI) concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 mg L^-1, respectively, and the final adsorption efficiency exceeded 99.0%. The residual concentration of Cr(VI) was within the allowable limit of Drinking Water Quality Standard of World Health Organization (0.05 mg L^-1). The experimental data fitted the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models well. Mg-Al LDOs showed effective adsorption efficiency in the range of pH 3-9, and the adsorption efficiency was influenced by anions competition (HPO₄^2- > SO₄^2- > CO₃^2- > NO₃^- > Cl^-). The analyses of XRD, SEM and FT-IR spectra suggested adsorption Cr(VI) on Mg-Al LDOs was caused by capturing dichromate ions to reconstruct its structure. Therefore, Mg-Al LDOs is promising adsorbents for the low-concentration Cr(VI) treatment in polluted surface water and groundwater.