Dynamic interactions between sulfidated zerovalent iron and dissolved oxygen: Mechanistic insights for enhanced chromate removal

Recent research on contaminant removal by zerovalent iron (ZVI) has evolved from investigating simple model systems to systems that encompass increased dimensions of complexity. Sulfidation and aerobic conditions are two of the most broadly relevant complications. Combining these two, this study investigated the dynamic interactions between sulfidated microscale ZVI and dissolved O₂, for removal of Cr(VI), a model contaminant for metals and metalloids. The results show that the coupling of sulfidation and oxygenation significantly improves Cr removal, which is attributed to enhanced Fe(II) production that resulted from accelerated corrosion of Fe(0). The Cr(VI) removal rate increased with increasing O₂ saturation from 0% to 100% but showed a bimodal dependence on the S/Fe ratio. At the optimal S/Fe ratio, the ZVI exhibits a highly porous surface morphology, which, according to prior literature on sulfur induced corrosion, promotes corrosion. In addition, a novel time series correlation was developed between aqueous Fe(II) and Cr(VI) based on data collected in the presence and absence of 1,10-phenanthroline, to probe for changes of reductants during the reaction time course. The analysis indicated that Fe(0) was responsible for the initial small amount of Cr(VI) removal, which then transitioned to a phase controlled by surface Fe(II). The slopes of the time series correlations during the latter phase of the reaction vary with experimental conditions but are mostly much higher than the theoretical stoichiometric ratio between Cr(VI) and Fe(II) (i.e., 0.33), indicating that Fe(II) regeneration contributes significantly to Cr removal.