Reduction of hexavalent chromium using polyaniline films. Effect of film thickness, potential and flow velocity on the reaction rate and polymer stability

摘要

Reduction of very toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) to its trivalent state (Cr(III)) is necessary to facilitate the treatment of wastewater by precipitation or adsorption. The present study proposes the use of thin films of polyaniline on a conducting substrate for this purpose. The reduction rate of hexavalent chromium and the degree of degradation of the polyaniline film were studied as a function of the solution flow velocity, applied potential and film thickness. The reduction rate was significantly affected by the flow velocity, while the film thickness was observed to have little effect. The potential had no effect on the reduction rate within the range studied. The current efficiency was 100% in all experiments and no significant degradation of polyaniline was observed. [References: 20]