Separation of Cr(VI) from Water by Green Reduction Reaction and Adsorptive Removal on Gelatin-Grafted-Yeast Biosorbent

A green chemical method was explored and described for separation and extraction of the toxic hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions and real water samples. A green reduction reaction for the transformation of toxic hexavalent chromium into the nontoxic trivalent chromium ion was performed by using hydrogen peroxide. The produced Cr(III) was then extracted by biosorption on the surface of a novel and eco-friendly gelatin-grafted-baker's yeast (Gelatin-Yeast) biosorbent. The investigated biosorbent was characterized by high capacity value of the reduced trivalent chromium species in pH 6.0 as 1.120 mmol g(-1). The biosorption processes were examined, monitored, and optimized in different experimental and controlling parameters. The potential applications of Gelatin-Yeast for separation and removal of Cr(VI) from real industrial and sea water samples were also studied.