Photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium with commercial Fe/Ti oxide catalyst under UV and visible light irradiation

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2018-11, Vol.15 (11), p.2459-2472
• Main Authors: Sanad, M. M. S., Abdel-Aal, E. A., Osman, H. M., Kandil, A. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-017-1628-0

The photoreduction efficiency of toxic hexavalent chromium into non-toxic trivalent chromium was studied using local low-cost material and modern technology. The materials involved different iron–titanium oxide nanopowders synthesized via simple hydrothermal–hydrolysis process. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscope were employed to study the structural properties of the as-prepared samples. The effects of molar ratio (Fe/Ti) and hydrothermal temperature on spectroscopic properties have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared FT-IR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of hexavalent chromium was systematically studied at various conditions including initial concentration of Cr(VI), hydrothermal temperature and Fe/Ti ratios of mixed iron–titanium oxide powders. It has been found that the highest photoreduction efficiencies of Cr(VI) were 95.7 and 86.2% at initial concentrations 10 and 60 ppm of Cr(VI), respectively. The synthesized mixed Fe 2 O 3 –TiO 2 photocatalyst exhibited higher efficiency of about 88% under visible light irradiation. The as-prepared mixed oxide catalyst exhibited high photocatalytic conversion efficiency and recycling stability in comparison with different commercial catalysts.