Novel efficient capture of hexavalent chromium by polyethyleneimine/amyloid fibrils/polyvinyl alcohol aerogel beads: Functional design, applicability, and mechanisms

The harmful effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) on the environment and human health have aroused wide public concern. In this study, bulk spherical aerogel beads (PAP) were synthesized from polyethyleneimine (PEI), protein amyloid fibrils (AFL), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) through green technology and its removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater was comprehensively studied. The results showed that although the bulk PAP beads (∼ 5 mm) only had an average pore size of 16.88 nm and a BET surface area of 12 m2/g, its maximum adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) reached 121.44 mg/g (at 298 K). Cr(VI) adsorption onto PAP conformed to pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics and was endothermic. The adsorption of Cr(VI) decreased stepwise with the increase of solution alkalinity (pH = 2: 91.97%; pH = 10: 0.04%). Importantly, PAP showed high selectivity towards Cr(VI) in mixed heavy metal solutions (Cr(VI) > Pb(II) > Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II)) and good reusability (removal efficiency > 88% after 5 cycles). PAP had excellent anti-interference ability against FA and HCO3- with the overall removal rate exceeding 87% in the presence of 5 - 25 mg/L of these ions. Cations such as Na+, Mg2+, and other heavy metal ions at high concentrations could promote the removal efficiency of Cr(VI). The removal rates of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) by PAP in a tannery wastewater were 34.4% and 59.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the removal rates of Cr(VI) in a electroplating wastewater and a contaminated soil leachate reached 84.4∼89.7%, showing high practicability. Mechanism studies revealed that electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, reduction, and complexation were the main reactions for Cr(VI) removal by PAP. In general, the study of PAP provides a new insight into using bulk monolith materials for treating Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater.