Decontamination of hexavalent chromium and tri-ethyl phosphate stimulants through photacatalytic oxidation

In this paper, the photocatalytic decontamination of hexavalent chromium and tri-ethyl phosphate, two important wastewater contaminants, are studied by the ultraviolet / nano-titanium dioxide process. The pH value and synergic effect between the oxidation of tri-ethyl phosphate and the reduction of hexavalent chromium were investigated in different concentrations of tri-ethyl phosphate and hexavalent chromium. Furthermore, the effects of ultraviolet and nano-titanium dioxide were investigated in a solution which contained tri-ethyl phosphate and hexavalent chromium. Results of adsorptions showed that hexavalent chromium was adsorbed better in acidic pH while the better adsorption for tri-ethyl phosphate was occurred in alkalinity pH. The reduction rate of hexavalent chromium was higher in acidic solutions while it was obtained at natural pH for tri-ethyl phosphate. In co-adsorption of hexavalent chromium and triethyl phosphate pollutants, tri-ethyl phosphate slightly increased adsorption of hexavalent chromium, but hexavalent chromium had no influence on the adsorption of tri-ethyl phosphate on nano-titanium dioxide particles. In contrast, triethyl phosphate has an improving effect on the reduction reaction rate of hexavalent chromium which increases with the interaction of the concentration of tri-ethyl phosphate in mixture. The same is true for the oxidation rate of tri-ethyl phosphate.