Enhanced removal performance of Cr(VI) by the core-shell zeolites/layered double hydroxides (LDHs) synthesized from different metal compounds in constructed rapid infiltration systems

Abstract

Nine kinds of LDHs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method under alkaline conditions with different combinations of trivalent metal compounds (FeCl₃, AlCl₃, CoCl₃) and divalent metal compounds (CaCl₂, MgCl₂, ZnCl₂), which were then coated in situ on the surface of zeolites to synthesize core-shell zeolites/LDHs composites. The zeolites before and after modification were characterized by SEM and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Using the different core-shell zeolites/LDHs and original zeolite substrates, the constructed rapid infiltration systems (CRIS) simulated test columns were set to treat the municipal sewage containing hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI). Isothermal adsorption tests were subsequently performed. The average removal efficiencies of the small-sized zeolites were much higher than those of the large-sized zeolites. For the small-sized zeolites, the Cr(VI) removal performances of the Mg-LDHs- and Al-LDHs-modified zeolite substrates were efficiently enhanced in particular, which could reach over 90%. And the removal rate of core-shell zeolites/ZnAl-LDHs reached 94.5%. Meanwhile, the maximum adsorption capacity of ZnAl-LDHs-modified zeolites could reach 51.0 mg/kg, indicating that the adsorption properties could be enhanced by ZnAl-LDHs coating. During the purification experiments, most of the LDHs-modified zeolites maintained their predominant chemical adsorption ability for the removal of Cr(VI). Therefore, the small-sized core-shell zeolites/ZnAl-LDHs composites could be used as potential substrates for the efficient removal of Cr(VI) in CRIS.