Mechanisms and sustainable utilization of Cr(VI) reduction by Fuling Zhacai leaves
摘要
In this study, Fuling Zhacai leaves (FLZ) were employed as a green biomass reductant for chromium reduction. The effects of mass ratio of FLZ to chromium (m(Z)/m(Cr)), reaction temperature and H2SO4 dosage on the reduction efficiency of chromium were investigated. The results demonstrated that chromium reduction efficiency increased significantly with increasing m(Z)/m(Cr), reaction temperature, and H2SO4 dosage. Nearly complete chromium reduction (100% efficiency) was achieved under following conditions: m(Z)/m(Cr) = 9.2, reaction temperature above 70 °C, and H2SO4 dosage over 1.50 mL. The FT-IR, XPS, and SEM–EDS characterization revealed that no covalent bonding or effective adsorption occurred between chromium and FLZ. Instead, a solution-mediated homogeneous redox process dominated: under acidic conditions, reducing components leached from FLZ reduced high-valent chromium ions in the liquid phase. This work demonstrated that FLZ was a low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient biomass reductant, providing a theoretical basis for chromium-containing wastewater treatment.