Interactions of Cr(VI) with hybrid anion exchange/porous carbon fibers in aqueous solution at natural pH

• A hybrid anion exchange/activated carbon fibers was studied for Cr(VI) removal.
• Positively charged surface sites attract and accumulate Cr(VI).
• Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) by carbon surface reducing functional groups.
• The entire process occurs at neutral pH.
• Regenerable performance: pyridinium positive charged groups were not damaged.

Novel hybrid strong anion exchange porous carbon fibers (HACAX) were synthesized and evaluated for adsorption of low concentrations of Cr(VI) at natural pH. Positive surface charge due to pyridinium groups enables HACAX to adsorb Cr(V) rapidly and with high capacity. HACAX showed stable and regenerable performance for adsorbing and converting Cr(VI) into Cr(III) with no change in pH, which is attributed to the catalytic activity of surface oxygen functional groups.

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