Sunlight-Powered Technique Lowers Cost of Chromium Removal from Wastewater

2024-10-29

Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali have developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly method to remove toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from industrial wastewater, such as from leather tanning and electroplating industries, using sunlight with a catalyst. The method utilizes microfluidic technology combined with TiO2 nanoparticles, facilitating the reduction of Cr(VI) to the less toxic trivalent chromium (Cr(III)), a critical environmental concern per WHO standards.

This innovative approach, involving continuous flow photoreduction, boasts superior efficiency, achieving 95% degradation of Cr(VI) with a reusable photocatalyst, significantly lowering operational costs.

The method, validated with UV-Vis spectroscopy, also allows precise control of pollutant flow rates and reactor dimensions.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2051320&reg=3&lang=1