Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by adsorption on γ-alumina nanoparticles

The use of γ-alumina (γ-Al2O3) nanoparticles as adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was investigated using batch experiments. Adsorption experiments were carried out for various initial doses of Al2O3, initial concentrations of chromium(VI), contact times and pH. The structure and morphology of the sorbent was characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. Results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of chromium(VI) was increased by increasing the contact time, initial concentration, and pH. The results of the study showed that adsorption of chromium by γ-alumina nanoparticles reached equilibrium after 60 min and after that a little change of chromium removal efficiency was observed. Furthermore, kinetics of chromium sorption was well fitted by pseudo-second order kinetic model, and well explained by the Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.992). Overall, alumina nanoparticles recognized as an effective sorbent to remove chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions.