Abatement of Hexavalent Chromium Metal Ion from Aqueous Solution Using a Smart Meso-Porous Material

In the recent years, heavy metal pollution has become one of the most serious environment problems. Presence of heavy metals even in traces is toxic and detrimental to both flora and fauna. With the rapid development of many industries, wastes containing heavy metals are directly or indirectly being discharged into environment causing serious environmental pollution. Many heavy metals such as copper, lead, cadmium, chromium(VI) etc. are seriously affect the human health. Hexavalent chromium metal is one of the carcinogenic pollutant in the environment and is frequently present in wastewater from various industrial units. The present research article reports the characterization and use of activated carbon derived from the bark of Pongamia pinnata (PPAC) as a potential adsorbent after for removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. SEM analysis proved the mesoporous nature of the material under investigation. The batch experiment was carried out to study the effect of significant process parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent doses and initial Cr(VI) concentration. The maximum adsorption efficacy for Cr(VI) removal by PPAC was found at pH 5.5, 5 gm/lit of adsorbent dose and 180 min contact time. Under optimum condition, 94.5% Cr(VI) was removed from aqueous solution. This investigation verifies that PPAC, a meso-porous material can be successfully used as an excellent sorbent material for removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated water and thus can be applied in wastewater treatment.