Precise decomplexation of Cr(III)-EDTA and in-situ Cr(III) removal with oxalated zero-valent iron

Cr(III)-organic complexes removal from wastewater is challenging to decompose the complexes without producing toxic Cr(VI). Herein we demonstrated that oxalated zero-valent iron (Ox-ZVI) could one-step decomplex 95.4% of Cr(III)-EDTA with 94.2% removal of total Cr and 60.5% removal of TOC without generating Cr(VI) at pH 6.0. Ox-ZVI with FeC2O4 shell preferred to adsorb and activate O2 to produce more reactive species than ZVI with iron oxide shell, while the generated 1O2 could selectively break the Cr-O and Cr-N bond to precisely decomplex Cr(III)-EDTA without producing Cr(VI). The released Cr(III) was in-situ precipitated on the surface of ZVI in Cr(OH)3 form. Interestingly, •OH preferred the effective degradation of the released EDTA ligand to the oxidation of the chelated Cr(III) at pH 6.0. This study offers a green and facile method for the Cr(III)-organic complexes treatment, and also sheds light on the importance of reactive species adjustment for the precise pollutant control.