Layer structured porous carbon aerogels stabilized FeS nanoparticles for efficient remediation of hexavalent chromium in soil
摘要
Cr(VI) contamination in soil poses a significant challenge worldwide, necessitating effective remediation strategies to ensure the preservation of human health and ecological integrity. On-location remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soil using reactive materials that exhibit synergistic reduction and adsorption properties has emerged as a promising approach. This study introduces a novel remediation material, FeS-modified carbon aerogel (FeS/CA), with a laminated porous structure rich in adsorption and reduction sites, synthesized through a straightforward freeze-drying method using economical, readily available chitosan. The results show that FeS/CA immobilized 99.87% of Cr(VI) by 16 g FeS/CA per kg of soil over 15 days, significantly outperforming pure CA, which achieved only 32.20% efficiency. Subsequent analysis demonstrates that the exchangeable chromium was nearly entirely converted to residual chromium (93.78%), thereby diminishing the risk of heavy metal contamination in soil. The remediation mechanism of FeS/CA on Cr(VI) was revealed by XPS, FTIR, and other characterizations, and the homogeneous FeS nanoparticles and abundant functional groups in CA played an important role in the immobilization of Cr(VI). FeS/CA promoted the immobilization of Cr(VI) mainly by the synergistic adsorption and chemical reduction effects. Firstly, part of Cr(VI) entered into the pore space of FeS/CA by physical adsorption. Secondly, the functional groups containing C and O adsorbed Cr(VI) through chemical effects, and finally, Fe(II) and S(-II) provided electrons during the adsorption of Cr(VI) to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). In conclusion, the FeS/CA composite, characterized by its effective laminated porous structure, offers a viable solution for remediation of Cr-contaminated soil.