Application of PANI/PEG/Clin Nanocomposite for Removal of Chromium from Aqueous Solution

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is commonly found in industrial sewage. The two most common oxidation states of chromium found in nature are III and VI and Cr(VI) isconsidered highly toxic, carcinogenic and mutanogenic. Cr(III) is easily precipitated or adsorbed by a large variety of organic and inorganic substrates at neutral pHs. Thus, thereduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) serves both to immobilize Cr(VI) and reduce its toxicity [1]. Conducing polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline composites has been used for reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) [2]. Zeolites because of high ion-exchange property and high surface area are favourablematerials for wastewater treatment. But because of low adsorption capacity of natural zeolites like clinoptilolite(Clin), it is needed to modify their surface. In this work, polyaniline/polyethylene glycol (PANI/PEG) composite modified Clin was applied for reduction of chromium [3].