Removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by anion exchange resins

Abstract

Chromium, in its hexavalent form, is one of the undesirable heavy metals because it affects human physiology, accumulates in the food chain and causes several ailments. In this study, weakly basic anion exchange resins Lewatit MP 62, Duolite A7 and Amberlite IRA 67 have been used as synthetic ion exchange resins for removal of hexavalent chromium. The main parameters influencing Cr(VI) metal sorption onto ion exchangers were: amount of adsorbent, contact times and pH value of solution. The maximum percentage of metal removal was attained after about 3 h. The greatest increase in the rate of adsorption of metal ions onto ion exchangers was observed at pH 2. Sorption kinetics fitted pseudo-second order kinetic model. © 2017 Scibulcom Ltd. All Rights Reserved.