Removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated waters by ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling

Batch mode experiments were conducted to study the removal of hexavalent chromium(Cr(Ⅵ)) from aqueous solutions using ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling.The results show that the reduction rate of Cr(Ⅵ) by ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling was significantly faster than that by ball milling or ultrasound treatment alone,and an initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration of 166 mg/L could be decreased to 0.35 mg/L at 120 min.The decisive factors, including initial concentration of Cr(Ⅵ), p H value, ultrasonic frequency and filling gas, were studied. It was found that the optimal ultrasonic frequency for ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling device was 20 k Hz, and the rate of Cr(Ⅵ)reduction as a function of filling gas followed the order: Ar > air > N> O. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fluorescence measurements, atomic absorption and the diphenylcarbazide colorimetric method. The Cr(Ⅵ) transformed into a precipitate that could be removed from the contaminated water, after which the water could be reused.