Development of iron-based nanoparticles for Cr(VI) removal from drinking water

A great deal of research over recent decades has been motivated by the requirement to lower the concentration of chromium in drinking water. This study has been conducted to determine the feasibility of iron-based nanoparticles for chromium removal from contaminated water. Single Fe, Fe3O 4 and binary Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were grown at the 45-80 nm size range using the solar physical vapor deposition technique and tested as potential hexavalent chromium removing agents from aqueous solutions. Due to their higher electron donation ability compared to the Fe 3O4 ones, single Fe nanoparticles exhibited the highest Cr(VI) removal capacity of more than 3 μg/mg while maintaining a residual concentration 50 μg/L, equal to the regulation limit for drinking water. In combination to their facile and fast magnetic separation, the applicability of the studied particles in water treatment facilities should be considered. © 2013 Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences