REMOVAL OF SOME CHROMIUM CONTAMINANTS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING PANI-ALGINATE GEL BEADS

The paper presents a comprehensive study on the removal efficiency for different concentrations of Cr(VI) aqueous solutions, using alginate gel beads with and without polyaniline constituent. Synthesized polyaniline was entrapped in calcium alginate particles and further characterized with optical/spectroscopic techniques. The influences of contact time, pH, adsorbent type and initial chromium concentration on the adsorption process have been investigated. In good agreement with similar studies, the mixed sorbent with polymeric composition (PANI-Alg) showed a good efficiency for hexa-valent Cr removal from aqueous solution under acidic conditions (pH 2). Modeling of experimental data was achieved using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Our study suggests that the proposed material (polyaniline-alginate beads) could be used for the removal of Cr from contaminated waters, through a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process.