Studies on Cr (VI) Removal from Aqueous Solution using Al2O3 and ZnO Nanoparticles Composite

Abstract

Cr (VI) is a heavy metal and is considered to be toxic both to environment and human beings after a permissible limit. The removal of Cr (VI) using conventional methods was ineffective. With introduction of nanotechnology, the remediation of Cr (VI) has become more easy and effective. Nanoalumina has been an efficient adsorbent system for the adsorption of different heavy metals. It has an excellent adsorption capacity for metal ions such as Cr (VI), Cd (II) and Pb (II). Negatively charged ionic species by electrostatic interaction are adsorbed on the positively charged surface of nanoalumina. Zinc oxide Nanoparticles (NPs) have excellent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and UV filtering properties. The use of ZnO NPs for the adsorption of Cr, Cd (II) and Hg (II) ions from aqueous solution is also gaining importance. The current work utilizes both the nanoparticles for the adsorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. When this composite mixture was used it was found that the adsorption capacity was higher than adsorption capacity obtained when individual NPs were used. Further studies regarding the mechanism of adsorption and characterization studies have to be undertaken.

Keywords: NPs- Nanoparticles, composite, UV filtering properties, nanoalumina