Development Of Modified Carbon Paste Electrode For The Detection And Removal Of Hexavalent Chromium Ions From Wastewater

Abstract

A wide range of chemical and biological contaminants have been generated from newlineindustrial processes; thereby, increased the levels of pollution rapidly in the past five decades. newlineThe polluted environment is causing an infinite change to our surroundings and results in newlineclimate change and global warming. Especially heavy metal pollution of water has been a newlinesignificant concern in recent years. Many heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Cu, Hg, Cd, and Zn are newlinebeing used in the manufacturing processes, such as leather processing, electroplating, paints, newlinepigments, batteries, alloys, and wood processing. Thus, the number of heavy metals newlinedischarged to the water bodies has been increased dramatically. A hundred million people newlinelive in areas where the water quality is very poor. Heavy metal contamination in the newlineenvironment through water and soil affects the food chain and results in health problems such newlineas memory loss, diabetes, cancer, etc. The allowable limit of Cr(VI) ions in drinking water is newline0.05 mg/L as per US-EPA and WHO regulations. Cr(VI) ions mimic the phosphate ions and newlineenter the human cells without any resistance due to their similar structural characteristics. newlineOnce entered, Cr(VI) ions are reduced into stable Cr(III) ions, which accumulate inside the newlinecell, leading to DNA damage and even cancer in humans. Hence, the conversion of Cr(VI) newlineions to Cr(III) ions during wastewater treatment will be an effective method to prevent major newlinethreats. Several techniques such as membrane filtration, liquid membrane extraction, electro newlinedialysis, capacitive deionization, and electro-reduction have been used to reduce the newlineconcentration of Cr(VI) ions from wastewater. Among these methods, electro-reduction has newlinearisen as a reliable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient method. newlineThe present study focused on the development of modified carbon paste electrodes to newlinedetect Cr(VI) ions using electrochemical techniques.