A removal mechanism of chromate (Cr) by synthesized kaolin supported nanoscale zerovalent
iron (K-nZVI) from aqueous solution is demonstrated. Parameters which potentially
influenced the functioning of K-nZVI have been investigated as well. Based on the scanning
electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopes, X-ray crystal powder diffraction
and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy identifications, we confirm that amorphous Fe0
core/FexOy shell nZVI can be successfully loaded into the pores and cracks, and onto the
surface of kaolin. Removal efficiency of Cr by K-nZVI decreased with increasing initial pH
and Cr(VI) concentration, but increased while K-nZVI dosage increased. Humic acid and
phosphate had similar dual impacts on chromium removal by K-nZVI, and the inhibitory
effect was obvious at high concentrations in spite of their different reaction mechanisms. In
contrast, high concentrations of sulfate and nitrate could advance the chromium removal.
Adsorption isotherms indicate that the removal processes are endothermic. The data
obtained can be better explained with Langmuir than Freundlich model. At the conditions
of 318 K and optimized pH 4.0, the maximum adsorption capacity was 33.39 mg g−1 illustrating
that K-nZVI was effective for the removal of total Cr. The removal mechanism is
proposed to divide into four phases, including: (1) aqueous Cr(VI) ions are captured on the
surface of K-nZVI; (2) the captured Cr(VI) are partly reduced to Cr(III) accompanied by Fe0
oxidizing to Fe2+; (3) part of oxidized Fe2+ continues to reduce Cr(VI); and (4) produced
Cr(III), Fe2+, and Fe3+ are formed passivation layers on the K-nZVI surface which prevent
further removal of chromium and result in redundant Fe0.