Radiation-induced catalytic reduction of chromium(VI) in aqueous solution containing TiO2, Al2O3 or SiO2 fine particles

Reduction of chromium (VI), Cr(VI) in aqueous neutral or basic solution was promoted by γ-ray irradiation in the presence of oxide particles such as TiO2, Al2O3 or SiO2. The oxide particles behaved as a catalyst, and the efficiency of the Cr(VI) reduction increased with an increase of the irradiation dose irrespective of the initial Cr(VI) concentration. The insoluble Cr(III) oxide formed through the Cr(VI) reduction also acted as the catalyst.