Efficient removal and detoxification of Cr(VI) by PEI-modified Juncus effuses with a natural 3D network structure.

[Display omitted] • The prepared PEI-JE had the same 3D network structure as the JE. • PEI-JE had a maximum adsorption capacity of 268.93 mg/g at 25 ℃. • Cr(VI) removal rate almost kept unchanged after 10 adsorption/desorption cycles. • Cr(VI) removal was involved in electrostatic adsorption, redox and complexation. • The Cr(VI) adsorbed on the surface of PEI-JE was completely reduced to Cr(III). In the present study, a novel PEI-modified Juncus effuses (PEI-JE) adsorbent was prepared based on the natural 3D network structure of JE via a simple and environmental-friendly method with the help of the ethanol/aqueous solution. SEM, EDS, ATR-FTIR and XPS were performed to reveal the physical and chemical structure of the PEI-JE. The Cr(VI) removal by the PEI-JE was investigated by bath adsorption experiments. Results showed that the developed PEI-JE exhibited the same 3D network structure as the JE, which not only was easy to separate from aqueous solution but also can expose more active sites and facilitate mass transfer. The optimal pH for Cr(VI) adsorption on the PEI-JE was 3, and adsorption equilibrium time was related to initial Cr(VI) concentrations. The adsorption kinetic obeyed pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherm showed the best fit with Freundlich model. The calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 268.93 mg/g at 25℃. Coexisting ions including Na+, K+, Al3+, H 2 PO 4 −, Cl−, NO 3 – had no remarkable effect on Cr(VI) adsorption, but the presence of SO 4 2−, HCO 3 – and CO 3 2– caused the efficiency losses of 10.9%, 41% and 66%, respectively. After 10 cycles of adsorption/desorption, Cr(VI) removal rate on the PEI-JE almost kept unchanged, demonstrating that the PEI-JE possessed good reusability. Mechanism study suggested that Cr(VI) removal was involved in a three-step reaction, namely electrostatic adsorption, redox and complexation. Film diffusion was the rate-limiting step and chemical adsorption was the main mechanism. The Cr(VI) adsorbed on the PEI-JE surface was completely reduced to Cr(III), demonstrating that PEI-JE is useful for Cr (VI) removal and detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]