An integrated approach for Cr(VI)-detoxification with polyaniline/cellulose fiber composite prepared using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.

In this short communication, the demonstration of a new integrated process concept involving the use of a bio-based material for detoxification of Cr(VI)-contaminated water is presented. Specifically, the bio-based material is a polyaniline/cellulose fiber composite prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of cellulose fibers, using the industrially favorable hydrogen peroxide (instead of costly oxidants such as ammonium persulfate) as the oxidant. Ferric chloride was used to catalyze the polymerization reaction. The process conditions for the preparation of the composite were preliminarily optimized, and the proposed concept was demonstrated. Under the conditions studied, the use of the composite was quite effective in the detoxification of the model solution. The proposed concept may serve as an alternative approach for water treatment using renewable materials.