Enhanced visible-light-driven reduction of hexavalent chromium under neutral conditions using quasi-MOF photocatalysts via thiocyanate modulation

In order to address the issue that the photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium(Cr(VI))is often limited by the inefficient utilization of electrons in photocatalysts,a quasi-MOF photocatalyst using thiocyanate(-SCN)was developed as a modulator to enhance the charge transfer properties of ZIF-L-based photocatalysts.The incorporation of-SCN introduced structural defects,which improved visible light absorption and the reduction ability of photogenerated electrons.-SCN significantly adjusted the electronic properties and established a stable electron release pathway,serving as active sites for reduction.The optimized quasi-MOF demonstrated a Cr(VI)reduction rate of 94.8%in neutral potassium thiocyanate solution under visible light without a hole scavenger.The reaction rate constant is 2.8 times that of the photocatalyst without defect modulation.This study offers a promising strategy for developing highly efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation.

TiO_(2)@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) composite derived from a partial-etching strategy with enhanced carriers' transfer for the rapid photocatalytic Cr(Ⅵ) reduction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based composites have been widely applied as photocatalysts because of their synergistic effect between the two individual component.Herein,TiO_(2)@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) nanocomposites which possess unsaturated titanium–oxo clusters,mesoporous structure,and intimate interface were successfully constructed via an in-situ distilled water-etched route.The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicated strong electronic interaction between TiO_(2)and NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti),confirming the formation of TiO 2@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) nanocomposite.Photoelectrochemical and thermodynamics measurements showed that TiO_(2)@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti)nanocomposites have improved charge separation efficient and decreased transfer resistance of the carriers within the heterojunction interfaces,which facilitates the photoexcited electrons transfer and reduction of the Cr(VI) species.Therefore,the optimal TiO_(2)@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti)nanocomposite demonstrated superior performance compared to NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) and NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) derived TiO_(2).Based on the free radical trapping experiment and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements,a possible type-II scheme was proposed for the enhanced photocatalytic activity over the TiO_(2)@NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti) nanocomposite.

Palladium nanoparticles supported on amine-functionalized glass fiber mat for fixed-bed reactors on the effective removal of hexavalent chromium by catalytic reduction

Palladium nanoparticles were deposited on the amine-grafted glass fiber mat （GFM-NH2） catalyst support by a conventional impregnation process followed by the borohydride reduction in aqueous solution at room temperature to create the designed Pd/GFM-NH2 catalyst. By the use of large size glass fiber mat without nano/mesopores as the catalyst support, the internal mass transfer limitations due to the existence of nano/mesopores on the catalyst support were eliminated and the Pd/GFM-NH2 catalyst could be easily separated from treated water due to the large size of the catalyst support. Batch experiments demonstrate its good catalytic reduction performance of Cr（VI） with formic acid as the reducing agent. It also demonstrated an efficient Cr（VI） removal and stability in a lab-prepared, packed fixed-bed tube reactor for the continuous treatment of Cr（VI）-containing water. Thus, it has a good potential for the catalytic reduction of Cr（VI） in the water treatment practice.

Cr(Ⅵ) reduction capability of humic acid extracted from the organic component of municipal solid waste

The capacity of humic acid extracted from organic waste （HAw） to reduce Cr（Ⅵ） was tested at pH 2.5,4 and 6 and compared with coal-derived humic acid （HAc）.HAw was more effective than HAc in reducing Cr（Ⅵ）.The kinetics of Cr（Ⅵ） reductions depended strongly on pH.The calculation of the apparent rate coefficients indicated that HAw was more efficient at reducing Cr（Ⅵ） than HAc,but was also more efficient than HAs from soil and peat.The reduction capability of HAs depends on the type of functional groups （i.e.,thiols and phenols） present,rather than the free radicals.HAw was more efficient at reducing Cr（Ⅵ） than HAc because more reactive phenols were present,i.e.,methoxy-and methyl-phenols.