Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites

The rapid detoxification and mineralization of Cr(VI) in aqueous environments hold critical importance for emergency response and resource recovery yet remain technically challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites through ethanol-assisted wet ball-mill...

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Main Authors: Xiaoming Zhang, Haiying Wang, Mengying Si, Qi Liao, Zhihui Yang, Qi Li, Weichun Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/395
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author Xiaoming Zhang
Haiying Wang
Mengying Si
Qi Liao
Zhihui Yang
Qi Li
Weichun Yang
author_facet Xiaoming Zhang
Haiying Wang
Mengying Si
Qi Liao
Zhihui Yang
Qi Li
Weichun Yang
author_sort Xiaoming Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The rapid detoxification and mineralization of Cr(VI) in aqueous environments hold critical importance for emergency response and resource recovery yet remain technically challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites through ethanol-assisted wet ball-milling and their application in Cr(VI) removal under microwave (MW) irradiation. This study systematically investigates the effects of MW irradiation on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) using FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites, with particular focus on key parameters including composite dosage, initial pH, MW temperature, and Cr(VI) concentration. Notably, 1 g/L FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites achieved near-complete removal (>99%) of 50 mg/L Cr(VI) within 7 min at a MW irradiation temperature of 333 K, which exhibited 5.9-fold and 13.1-fold superior performance compared to pure pyrite and ZVI, respectively. Additionally, there is a 96.1% reduction in reaction time in comparison to non-MW irradiation system. In real electroplating wastewater samples, Cr(VI) concentration was reduced from 38.93 to 0.42 mg L<sup>−1</sup> by MW irradiation-assisted treatment, validating its potential for practical applications in industrial Cr(VI) pollution control. The activation energy determined by fitting the Arrhenius equation showed a 39.7% reduction for the MW-assisted FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI system (16.0 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>) compared to conventional thermal heating (from 25.6 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>), indicating that MW irradiation induced catalytic enhancement of FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI, thereby lowering the energy barrier for Cr(VI) reduction. Moreover, MW irradiation-assisted processes facilitated the mineralization of reduced Cr(III) to stable spinel FeCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. These findings collectively establish a synergistic mechanism between MW activation and FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites, offering innovative pathways for efficient Cr(VI) detoxification and resource recovery from high-strength industrial wastewaters.
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spelling doaj-art-aacb0be81c7b44a797e05ecc1ba7d3622025-08-20T02:18:09ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-04-0115439510.3390/met15040395Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI CompositesXiaoming Zhang0Haiying Wang1Mengying Si2Qi Liao3Zhihui Yang4Qi Li5Weichun Yang6School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaThe rapid detoxification and mineralization of Cr(VI) in aqueous environments hold critical importance for emergency response and resource recovery yet remain technically challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites through ethanol-assisted wet ball-milling and their application in Cr(VI) removal under microwave (MW) irradiation. This study systematically investigates the effects of MW irradiation on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) using FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites, with particular focus on key parameters including composite dosage, initial pH, MW temperature, and Cr(VI) concentration. Notably, 1 g/L FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites achieved near-complete removal (>99%) of 50 mg/L Cr(VI) within 7 min at a MW irradiation temperature of 333 K, which exhibited 5.9-fold and 13.1-fold superior performance compared to pure pyrite and ZVI, respectively. Additionally, there is a 96.1% reduction in reaction time in comparison to non-MW irradiation system. In real electroplating wastewater samples, Cr(VI) concentration was reduced from 38.93 to 0.42 mg L<sup>−1</sup> by MW irradiation-assisted treatment, validating its potential for practical applications in industrial Cr(VI) pollution control. The activation energy determined by fitting the Arrhenius equation showed a 39.7% reduction for the MW-assisted FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI system (16.0 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>) compared to conventional thermal heating (from 25.6 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>), indicating that MW irradiation induced catalytic enhancement of FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI, thereby lowering the energy barrier for Cr(VI) reduction. Moreover, MW irradiation-assisted processes facilitated the mineralization of reduced Cr(III) to stable spinel FeCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. These findings collectively establish a synergistic mechanism between MW activation and FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites, offering innovative pathways for efficient Cr(VI) detoxification and resource recovery from high-strength industrial wastewaters.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/395FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI compositesmicrowave irradiationCr(VI) reductionmineralizationactivation energies
spellingShingle Xiaoming Zhang
Haiying Wang
Mengying Si
Qi Liao
Zhihui Yang
Qi Li
Weichun Yang
Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
Metals
FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites
microwave irradiation
Cr(VI) reduction
mineralization
activation energies
title Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
title_full Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
title_fullStr Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
title_full_unstemmed Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
title_short Rapid Microwave Irradiation-Enhanced Detoxification and Mineralization of Cr(VI) by FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI Composites
title_sort rapid microwave irradiation enhanced detoxification and mineralization of cr vi by fes sub 2 sub zvi composites
topic FeS<sub>2</sub>/ZVI composites
microwave irradiation
Cr(VI) reduction
mineralization
activation energies
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/395
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