Regresar

A green and easy way for carbon microspheres synthesis impregnated with palladium for hexavalent chromium reduction

Abstract:

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic heavy metal widely spread due to industrial activities around the world. Therefore, to treat wastewaters with this hazardous metal, carbon microspheres were synthesized from a 1.4 mol/L D-glucose solution heated in a closed vessel at 180 °C for 24 h. This carbon material was already functionalized with acid sites which may act as anchor groups for different ions removal. With this hydrothermal and eco-friendly method, it was possible to prepare carbon microspheres with 262 m2/g of surface area, 15 μm of average particle size and a total acidity of 3.13 mmol/g. Activated carbon of 1400 m2/g was oxidized as well with HNO3 in order to compare its activity with carbon microspheres in Cr(VI) reduction. Finally, Pd was impregnated on both carbon materials to reduce Cr(VI) with formic acid as reducing agent. The composite with Pd impregnated on carbon microspheres resulted to be the best catalyst since it reduced Cr(VI) in 150 min.