A functionalized activated carbon adsorbent prepared from waste amidoxime resin by modifying with H3PO4 and ZnCl2 and its excellent Cr(VI) adsorption

With the application of resins in various fields, numerous waste resins that are difficult to treat have been produced. The industrial wastewater containing Cr(VI) has severely polluted soil and groundwater environments, thereby endangering human health. Therefore, in this paper, a novel functionalized mesoporous adsorbent PPR-Z was synthesized from waste amidoxime resin for adsorbing Cr(VI). The waste amidoxime resin was first modified with H3PO4 and ZnCl2, and subsequently, it was carbonized through slow thermal decomposition. The static adsorption of PPR-Z conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, indicating that the Cr(VI) adsorption by PPR-Z is mostly chemical adsorption and exhibits single-layer adsorption. The saturated adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for Cr(VI) could reach 255.86 mg/g. The adsorbent could effectively reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and decrease the toxicity of Cr(VI) during adsorption. PPR-Z exhibited Cr(VI) selectivity in electroplating wastewater. The main mechanisms involved in the Cr(VI) adsorption are the chemical reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) and electrostatic and coordination interactions. Preparation of PPR-Z not only solves the problem of waste resin treatment but also effectively controls Cr(VI) pollution and realizes the concept of “treating waste with waste”.