Efficiency and potential mechanism of complete Cr(VI) removal in the presence of oxalate by catalytic reduction coupled with membrane filtration

Abstract A novel catalytic chemical reduction/membrane filtration method was developed for the removal of total Cr (TCr) in a system with coexisting Cr(VI) and oxalate (Ox). The effects of Ox, Fe(III), Al(III), and other factors on the removal of Cr(VI) containing Ox by NaBH4 were investigated. Additionally, the simultaneous removal of turbidity and TCr using a microfiltration membrane was investigated, and the reason for the enhanced TCr removal was clarified. The results of ion chromatography (IC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggested that when Cr(VI) and Ox coexist, low concentrations (0.3 mM) of Fe(III) or Al(III) contributed significantly to the high turbidity caused by the formation of suspended solids (SS) following the reduction of Cr(VI) by NaBH4. However, almost all the Cr(III) could be removed by a 1-μm microfiltration membrane. The high turbidity system formed by Ox and Cr(III) is unstable, and some Ox will gradually release their binding sites with Cr(III) with the extension of the natural settling time. For 24 h, 53.75% of Ox was involved in the formation of SS, while in the presence of Fe(III) or Al(III), only 11.28% and 6.30% of Ox were involved, respectively. High concentrations of Fe(III) and Al(III) enhanced the reduction of Cr(VI) by NaBH4. The removal of TCr was close to 100% after natural sedimentation for 15 min and combined with a microfiltration membrane. This result is caused because Fe(III)–Cr(III) or Al(III)–Cr(III) can form larger SS, which is easily intercepted by the microfiltration membrane. The development of a novel combined method of catalytic chemical reduction and membrane filtration will be beneficial for reducing the retention of TCr in the environment.